Middlesbrough are one of two clubs to have held talks with the representatives of in-demand Sunderland striker Josh Maja, according to The Blackpool Gazette.
Middlesbrough face competition from Premier League side West Ham United, who have also discussed terms with Maja, and the 19-year old must decide where to take the next step in his career.
Cardiff City are also monitoring the situation, and have tabled a £2 million bid for the forward. However, Sunderland are reportedly holding out for £4 million, and Middlesbrough or West Ham could swoop in to seal the deal before the January 31st deadline.
Maja has scored 15 goals in 25 games for The Black Cats so far this season and is second in the top scorer charts behind Doncaster Rovers’ striker John Marquis in League One. The Sunderland striker has also registered two assists across the campaign.
As well as Premier League and Championship clubs interested, the teenager is also being scouted by Scottish giants Celtic, as well as several sides from the Bundesliga including Stuggart, Cologne and Wolfsburg according to Wales Online.
He recently turned down an option to extend his current contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season, and immediately put several clubs on high alert.
Middlesbrough are actively looking to bolster their attacking options given they are the lowest scorers in the top half of the table at present with just 31 goals in their first 28 games. Maja would be competing with the likes of Jordan Hugill, Britt Assombalonga, Rudy Gestede and Ashley Fletcher.
