Rangers set for green light on ‘absolutely superb’ Josh Maja transfer with ‘serious incident’ ruling due Monday
Rangers look set to get the green light Monday (12 June) to make a run at the free transfer signing of Bordeaux striker Josh Maja.
The 24-year-old has a clause in the contract extension he signed last summer with the fallen French giants that allows him to leave for free during this window if they are not promoted from Ligue 2 [Fabrizio Romano, 1 September].
Needing a 4-0 win in their final game of the season against Rodez on 2 June the game was suspended with Maja’s side trailing 1-0, after goalscorer Lucas Buades was shoved to the ground by a pitch invader and stretchered off.
With Bordeaux’s promotion already hanging by a thread, any punishments handed down by the authorities are likely to end them outright.
According to BBC Sport (5 June), the decision following the investigation is expected to be announced Monday 12 June, with the result of the match set to be decided along with it.
Should the points be handed to Rodez it will confirm Bordeaux remain a second tier side and opens the door for ex-Sunderland man Maja to leave for nothing.
Links to the one-cap Nigeria international and an Ibrox move have been ongoing for as long as six months, according to Rangers Review‘s Jonny McFarlane, who called a potential Rangers deal for the striker an “absolutely superb signing” if they can pull it off (9 June).
The journalist also suggested that the Light Blues would not be alone in trailing the man who has scored 16 goals in Ligue 2 this season, so assuming their fate is sealed with the Monday decision on what McFarlane termed a “serious incident” Michael Beale will need to move fast.
He wants to sign multiple strikers this summer, amid chases for Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers, but he may be about to get the go-ahead to take advantage of turmoil in southern France.
In other Rangers news, yet another potential new arrival has agreed personal terms amid confidence that the deal gets done “very soon”.