Bordeaux striker Josh Maja has told BeIN Sports (h/t The Metro) that it is his dream to play in the Premier League, revealing that he would one day love to turn out for Arsenal.
Josh Maja, 21, left Sunderland in January 2019 to join French outfit, Bordeaux. He’s established himself as a first-team player this term, scoring six goals in 15 appearances for Bordeaux. The one-cap Nigeria international’s performances haven’t gone unnoticed, with Chelsea and Everton said to be interested in the striker. (h/t The Metro)
Meanwhile, Arsenal have an exciting attack comprising of players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe, Gabriel Martinelli and Mesut Ozil. Considering the attacking talents, they have managed to score only 39 goals in 27 games so far this season.
Aubameyang is Arsenal’s top scorer this season, with 20 goals across all competitions. However, the Gabonese forward will have just one year left on his current deal when the season ends.
The Arsenal striker has attracted interest from Inter Milan, who want to sign the Gabon international should they lose Lautaro Martinez in the summer. (h/t The Sun) If Aubameyang leaves, Mikel Arteta will be left with only two natural centre-forwards—Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.
Lacazette has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot for much of this season. He had gone on a long goal drought before finally scoring in the 4-0 victory against Newcastle United last month. Nketiah, meanwhile, has scored three goals for the Gunners since returning from his loan spell at Leeds United in January. His second-half strike against Portsmouth saw the north London side into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
However, Arteta simply cannot rely only on Lacazette and Nketiah for goals next season if Aubameyang departs the Emirates Stadium. Thus, it is vital for the Arsenal tactician to sign a striker this summer and he should plot a move for Josh Maja.
A product of Sunderland academy, Maja made his league debut for the club in 2017 and quickly established himself a regular member of the squad.
He made 17 Championship in 2017/18 in what was his breakthrough campaign with Sunderland, who were relegated to the League One, however. In the League One, the striker impressed with 15 goals in 24 appearances and Bordeaux snapped him up in January last year.
Maja has performed well at Bordeaux but he will have a better chance to develop his game at Arsenal under Arteta, who has shown his willingness to nurture young talents, as evidenced by the opportunities given to Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock and Nketiah. Adding the Bordeaux forward would also bring healthy competition within the squad.
Hence, Arsenal should make a prompt attempt to sign Maja in the summer.
