Sunderland’s head of football operations, Richard Hill, revealed in Netflix’s ‘Sunderland Till I Die’ series that Tottenham scouted former Black Cats striker, Josh Maja, up to nine times last season.
The second season of the Netflix documentary, which closely follows Sunderland’s progress in the 2018/19 campaign, revealed that the League One club fought hard to keep Maja.
The 21-year-old striker was in great form for Sunderland last campaign, smashing 16 goals in 30 games for club (transfermarkt).
Although he was linked with a move to Spurs last January (Express), the striker ended up joining League 1 side Bordeaux with just six months left to run on his deal with Sunderland (BBC).
Season two of ‘Sunderland Till I Die’ has shed light on how the club were desperate to keep hold of the youngster. In conversation with the club’s owner, Stewart Donald, about Maja’s situation, Richard Hill revealed the details about Spurs’ interest in the striker.
Speaking about Maja, Hill says: “The initial offer we made Josh, we then increased it considerably. The last time I spoke to Josh with the new offer, he just said ‘you need to speak to my agent.
“I’ve spoken to his agent and said ‘This is it, full and final’. He’s had it emailed, said I’ll come back to you. Still hasn’t come back to me.
MORE SPURS STORIES
“We’re hearing all sorts, but I mean Tottenham have been to watch him six, seven, eight, nine times.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It looks like Tottenham took a really close look at Maja before deciding to pass up the deal. I believe we made the right call as the striker has hardly set the world alight since his move to Ligue 1. This also tells you that Spurs are ideally looking for a younger option with the potential to develop as Kane’s backup rather than an established star.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
