Cats stand firm on Maja amid reports

Josh Maja is yet to agree a new Sunderland contract, but senior sources at the club have rejected suggestions he has been offered to Premier League clubs.

Reports in the national media have said that the Black Cats are looking for £1.5million from a cut-price sale in the January window.

But that has been rubbished and both Stewart Donald and Jack Ross both remain hopeful a new deal can soon be agreed, with talks ongoing.

Donald also took to social media, tweeting: “We are very hopeful he will stay. He has said he wants to and we r finishing off negotiations. We got more than that for Joel [Asoro] so why on earth would we sell Josh for less it’s absolute rubbish!!”

The Black Cats are conscious that Maja could agree a pre-contract deal with a foreign club from January 1, a move that would see little return in the way of compensation.

Maja could of course join another British club on a free in the summer. Sunderland would be entitled to some compensation.

There has been significant interest in Maja from the Championship, with a host of clubs lining up a potential move.

But Sunderland are eager not to lose their top scorer and one of the league’s best finishers ahead of a critical five months for the club. It would likely take at least double the quoted price for an offer to be considered.

Lynden Gooch is also out of contract next summer but has spoken positively about a new deal and Ross is hopeful both Gooch and Maja will soon sign new contracts.

Ross added: “I’m hoping that will be the case for Lynden, with Josh I am still hopeful it will be a positive outcome.

“Because of how Stewart [Donald] is I think there will be some sort of finality on both situations fairly soon, he would like everything clear one way or another and I have no issue with that, it helps the model of the club too.”