West Brom coach Tony Mowbray has revealed that he came close to signing Super Eagles striker Josh Maja, while he was in charge of Blackburn Rovers.
Maja, who is currently recovering from a leg injury, is West Brom’s top scorer with 12 goals in 26 appearances this season.
Mowbray, who took over as West Brom coach recently, has inherited Maja and is looking forward to working with him. However, Maja’s injury has kept him out of action since mid-January, and Mowbray is being cautious about his return.
Mowbray is familiar with Maja’s abilities, having tried to sign him for Blackburn Rovers in the past. He believes Maja is a talented player who can help West Brom achieve their goals.
Maja’s playing style, which involves coming to the ball, using his technical skills, and getting into the box to score goals, makes him a valuable asset to the team.
“I think he’s in the building today, actually,” Mowbray said as quoted by Birmingham Live. I haven’t sat down with him for a one on one yet, but I do know Josh because we had him in the building at Blackburn Rovers not too many years ago, trying to sign him.
“It didn’t happen, but he’s a nice kid. I watched some pundits picking their EFL team of the year and he got picked, which shows he’s had a really good season.
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“I’m looking forward to working with him really. We selected him at Blackburn because we felt he was a player who could help and we have inherited him at this club.
“I’m looking forward to working with him on the grass and the type of player he is – he likes to come to the ball, technically good but he gets in the box and scores goals.”
Mowbray is also being cautious about Maja’s return to fitness, ensuring that he is not rushed back onto the pitch.
The gaffer revealed that Maja has had an operation and needs some time to recover and before being integrated back onto the squad.
The former Sunderland man who also wore the colours of Manchester City at youth level, joined the Baggies in the summer of 2023 on a three-year deal from French outfit Bordeaux.
