West Brom must ensure striker’s contract history does not repeat itself: Opinion

With 12 months left on Josh Maja’s current deal, West Brom should look to tie-down the 26-year old to a new deal.

West Brom chiefs took the decision to sell several players who were entering the final years of their contract last summer. Okay Yokuslu, Conor Townsend and Brandon Thomas-Asante all left WBA to ensure they did not leave for nothing.

Alex Palmer was also sold in January as he entered the final 18 months of his deal.

However, in this case with Josh Maja, his importance to the side when fully fit means that extending his contract should be up there with one of the biggest priorities this summer.

West Brom badly missed the Nigerian during his absence for various reasons. Despite ending the season as the club’s top scorer, it was his ability to drop deep and link up play that was badly missed when he was out with injury.

There was high expectation when WBA moved late in the January transfer window to sign Adam Armstrong given his record in the second tier, but there was a gaping hole in the spaces that Maja would usually occupy. Armstrong was often an isolated figure up front and struggled to make much of an impact.

West Brom should look to avoid repeating situation that allowed them to sign Maja

It’s been no secret that previously, West Brom had suffered with financial concerns. In the final years of Guochuan Lai’s ownership the club were restricted to signing players on free transfers and loans.

Thanks to Maja’s contract coming to an end at Bordeaux in the summer of 2023, WBA were able to sign the striker on a free transfer. It’s been well-documented that Maja’s former side have financial issues of their own, with Bordeaux now in the fourth-tier of French football.

When making the move to France in January 2019, this followed Maja entering the final six months of his contract at Sunderland.

The Baggies now have a decision to make, they must act fast to attempt to get Maja tied down to a new deal to avoid the same fate that his former sides faced.

Injury history should not deter West Brom from giving Maja a new contract

While there’s no downplaying the ability that Maja possesses in the second tier, some WBA fans may have some doubts over giving the striker a new deal due to his issues with injury over his time at The Hawthorns so far.

In his first season, Maja faced lengthy spells out due to factors out of his control. On two seperate occasions he was on the receiving end of questionable challenges from defenders, first in a late penalty claim away at Bristol City which tore his ankle ligaments.

His return from injury did not last long. After getting his first goal for the club in the 2-1 defeat against Leicester City, a dangerous challenge from Sunderland’s Dan Ballard once again injured his ankle ligaments and meant he missed the remainder of the 2023/24 campaign.

He returned to fitness in preparation for last season and started well, scoring a hat-trick on the opening day against Queens Park Rangers. However, with Devante Cole the only other recognised striker in the squad there were not many opportunities for Maja to be rested. He sustained a lower-leg injury in January which meant he had to undergo surgery. The club opted to not risk Maja when he returned to fitness, with The Baggies unable to make the Play-off’s.

Despite these injury concerns over the course of Maja’s time at West Brom so far, with another striker being brought to the club on the agenda as well as Daryl Dike returning from injury – this gives more chances to rotate up front and giving Maja the best chance of keeping fully-fit.

Maja’s link-up play makes him difficult to replace as a Championship side, so they should look to address the 26-year-old’s contract situation as soon as possible.