The situation at 19:45 on Friday evening was that Bordeaux had to win and score at least four goals more than Metz to have any chance of promotion. Bordeaux hosted Rodez at the Stade Matmut-Atlantique and went 1-0 down on 22 minutes. The Rodez celebrations sparked a frenzy in the stands. This led to a Bordeaux fan entering the pitch and striking the Rodez goalscorer Lucas Buades. The game was paused at the time but eventually, was abandoned. Due the nature of the incident it’s unclear whether the match will be restarted/replayed or if Bordeaux will forfeit the points.
Should Bordeaux forfeit the points then Metz will take the 2nd promotion place to Ligue 1. Should the game be restarted/replayed Bordeaux would need to win by at least five goals to over take 2nd place Metz. Interestingly, top of the table Le Havre had their game interrupted before the end as fans poured onto the pitch to celebrate their promotion. It now seems unlikely Bordeaux will be able to take that 2nd spot. Five goals is a huge swing if they are, indeed, allowed to play out the match.
What Does This Mean For Josh Maja?
If Bordeaux gain promotion, there’s a clause in the Nigerian strikers contract. The promotion clause would trigger another year onto his current deal which expires this month. This, obviously, would mean he wouldn’t be available on a free transfer. This would also probably rule Rangers out of the running for him. He’s a fairly high profile player with EPL, Championship, Ligue 1 and 2 experience, they don’t come cheap.
Rangers best chance of acquiring the striker is Bordeaux to finish 3rd and for him to become a free agent. Rangers have been linked with the forward since Steven Gerrard was at the club.
This link has never fully gone away and most summer transfer windows Rangers are linked with a move for him.
Where Does Josh Maja see His Future?
He was directly asked about the link to Rangers by the French media and he had this to say;
I can’t think about that at the moment. We have so many important games before the end of the season and I have to concentrate on that only.
We’ll see what happens at the end of the season.
I have to wait to hear what the management of this club says and whether they want to keep me.
Josh Maja to French media
A very media trained response from the 24-year-old. Perhaps that training came from his time at Sunderland when he was a prominent figure in the popular series ‘Sunderland Till I Die’.
With Bordeaux looking likely to remain in Ligue 2 though, it seems unlikely he’ll stay there. Tipped for the very top as a youngster he’s had an interesting career so far. Time in the Championship then moving to France before loans in the EPL and Championship again. He’ll be looking to get back on the big stage and show what he can do. It doesn’t get much bigger than Ibrox and European football does it?
His Season So Far
With his season pretty much over, these were his numbers in Ligue 2;
- 37 Appearances (34 Starts)
- 16 Goals
- 21% Goal Conversion Rate
- 6 Assists
- 1.2 Key Passes Per Game
An excellent finisher, with a much better conversion rate than any current Rangers striker. He also excels in linking the play and getting other players involved. He’s capable of holding up the ball and also carrying it forward very well. Josh Maja is a striker who can do a bit of everything. He would be an absolute coup for Rangers on a free transfer.
Where do you stand on Rangers pursuit of Josh Maja? It’s a deal that’s potentially been a long time coming, would you welcome the move?
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