Fulham are closing in on the deadline day signing of Bordeaux forward Josh Maja on loan for the rest of the season, meeting manager Scott Parker’s request for a striker to add more options up front and help the Cottagers stay in the Premier League.
Aleksandar Mitrovic is currently Fulham’s only recognised centre forward and a lack of goals is what is keeping the club in the relegation zone after improving defensively over the last six weeks.
Sky Sports report that talks over a short-term deal for Maja are ongoing, while the Daily Mail adds that Fulham are confident that an agreement will be reached before the window closes.
London-born Maja joined Bordeaux from Sunderland in January 2019 after he refused a new contract with the Black Cats.
He had previously played in Fulham’s youth ranks prior to making the first-team breakthrough at the Stadium of Light, so a return to west London will be familiar territory for the 22-year-old.
Maja scored 15 times in 24 appearances for Sunderland in League One during the first half of the 2018/19 season. He’s started 11 times for Bordeaux in Ligue 1 this season, but only scored twice in 17 appearances and not at all since October.
What is Josh Maja’s FIFA 21 rating?
Maja is a 71-rated player on FIFA 21, with career mode potential of 80.
Pace is his greatest asset at 76, with 69 each for shooting and dribbling, 57 each for passing and physical and 28 for defending.
What national team does Josh Maja play for?
Although English by birth, Maja represents Nigeria at international level through his parents’ nationality and made his senior debut in September 2019.
He was a late substitute in a friendly against Ukraine, which actually means he is not permanently locked in for Nigeria and could theoretically switch allegiance to England in the future if a call-up is ever in the offing before he has played competitively for the Super Eagles.
Are Fulham targeting anyone else?
Fulham have been credited with deadline day interest in Bournemouth’s Joshua King, who has also been heavily linked with Southampton in a deal that could involve Shane Long.
King was wanted by Manchester United last January. He scored 48 Premier League goals for the Cherries during their five seasons in the top flight, but he hasn’t found the net in 12 Championship appearance in what has been a stop-start campaign for the Norwegian.
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Source: 90min
