Four Things To Know About Josh Maja: Morelos’s Potential Replacement

Rangers have opened negotiations with Bordeaux over signing Josh Maja, according to reports in France. It is thought that the Nigerian international could be a potential replacement for Alfredo Morelos.

It was claimed over the weekend that the Colombian international has agreed personal terms with Lille but there is no agreement between the French club and the Light Blues over a transfer fee yet.

Were Morelos to leave and Maja to arrive at Ibrox in his place, what sort of player would the Gers be getting?

Press the next page as we go through four facts about the 21-year-old forward.

Maja has spent most of his early career in the UK

Despite playing for Nigeria, the striker was born in London. He made his way through Manchester City’s academy before moving to Sunderland in 2015.

Maja made his senior debut for the Black Cats back in 2016 in the Carabao Cup before establishing himself as a first-team player during the 2018/19 campaign.

His breakthrough year and switch to France

Maja was Sunderland’s standout player in League One, scoring 15 goals in 24 appearances, but there was growing uncertainty over his future with his contract expiring at the end of the season.

After much speculation, the Nigerian moved to Bordeaux for £1.5m during the 2019 January transfer window.

Maja has had an up and down year playing in Ligue One

Bordeaux boss Paulo Sousa has been reluctant to start the forward during the player’s first year in France. He made the first eleven for just six league games last campaign.

On one of Maja’s starts, though, he made a big impression, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist in a 6-0 win over Nimes back in December. He also scored on his last start against Saint-Etienne before the lockdown in March.

He is very strong in possession

Maja’s strengths are on the ground. He has excellent dribbling ability and hold up play, while he is also able to bring others into the game with his passing.

At 5ft 10, though, he isn’t the strongest in the air, and while he is slightly taller than the man he could potentially be replacing in Morelos, he is not as good as a Colombian at heading the ball.

At 21 years of age, though, he does have the potential to develop his game and it would be an interesting signing for the Gers.

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