Sunderland chairman Stewart Donald has given a candid account of the details behind striker Josh Maja's u-turn on signing a contract with the league one club.
The club were willing to offer him a salary seven times his current wage and gave the forward until Friday to accept the deal, though Donald tweeted that the player's agent has scuppered a deal, despite Sunderland matching the player's demands:
Yesterday Josh sought Jack out unprompted and said he wants to sign his contract. Today sky call and say he is not. I inform Jack who pulls Josh and asks what is going on - Josh says - My agent has told me not to sign for Sunderland. His agent told Sky TV rather than the club!!!!
— stewart donald (@stewartdonald3) January 4, 2019
@SunderlandAFC I would have kept Josh news in-house but once his agent informed Sky &they report it that he doesn't want to sign we have to repsond.He wants to sign it this agent that has said don't!!! Stay behind him and don't get up his back - we will try & change his mind.
— stewart donald (@stewartdonald3) January 4, 2019
@SunderlandAFC To answer all those who say it should be in house. Totally agree. His agent phoned sky to tell them - not the club or myself who would have said nothing. The agent has made this public - not to the benefit of the player!!! We are responding not instigating?⚪️?⚪️
— stewart donald (@stewartdonald3) January 4, 2019
20-year-old Maja has been in fine form for the Mackems this season, scoring 15 goals this term, and although he had indicated to Sunderland manager Jack Ross on Thursday that he was willing to stay on Wearside, this revelation by Donald seems to suggest his time at the club is coming to an end.
