Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit urges West Brom to make clear Josh Maja decision | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie speaks exclusively to FLW about Josh Maja's situation at West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion have been urged to retain striker Josh Maja this summer, despite the club's imminent capture of Norwegian forward Aune Heggebø from Brann.

Despite Maja's 12 league goals in the Championship last season, the Baggies finished ninth and missed out on the play-offs by four points - although the forward did miss the final four months of the season through injury.

With new head coach Ryan Mason looking to build his squad for 2025/26, there's soon to be a new striker arriving in the Black Country - with Norwegian publication Nettavisen first reporting Albion have agreed a £4.75m deal for Aune Heggebø - backed up by Fabrizio Romano.

Having netted seven times in 13 appearances in the Eliteserien so far - which started earlier in 2025, unlike many other European leagues with their August to May pattern - it is a substantial fee compared to the free capture of Maja from Bordeaux two years ago.

Lee Hendrie tells West Brom to keep Josh Maja this summer

Speaking exclusively to FLW about Maja's situation at West Brom, Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie put emphasis on how important it is to keep the Nigerian international in B71 past the summer.

"I think West Brom need to keep hold of their strikers," Hendrie told FLW.

"That’s the thing with Albion, looking over seasons, they haven’t had a real prolific guy who's been able to step up and really kick them on if anything."

The former England international highlighted an issue that has plagued the Baggies in recent seasons, with West Brom's goalscoring problems well-documented across multiple seasons - they ranked tenth in the league last term with 57.

Hendrie added: "That's an area where it's always been quite evident for me that they’ve either had to strengthen, they’ve had injuries there and haven’t been able to fulfill that role.

"I think they have to try and keep hold of him, I really do. If they can build and produce good players in and around him which they have got - I think it's quite clear they do try and keep hold of him for sure."

Aune Heggebø signing adds pressure on Josh Maja's West Brom situation

There's no denying that Romano's news could push Maja close to departing West Brom this summer - who enters the final year of his contract at The Hawthorns.

Having to end his season in January with a lower leg stress fracture, Ryan Mason provided positive updates on his recovery during his media unveiling.

"He's in a good place," West Brom's new manager said.

"He's progressing well and we're happy with where he is at."

Maja's absence was felt painfully last season as Albion's form deteriorated when he was sidelined, and he ended up with both the club's top scorer award and Goal of the Season awards - which speaks volume about the other options available.

The January loan arrival of Adam Armstrong from Southampton was intended to help with the blow of losing Maja, but he only managed to find the net three times in 16 appearances.

Daryl Dike is another striker battling injuries - since his arrival in 2022 from Orlando City, the American has missed a total of 128 games, so it can be argued Maja's retention becomes even more important when looking at the prospect of any sort of promotion push.

Albion's decision on Josh Maja could define their 2025/26 campaign. Hendrie's clear message suggests the club should resist potentially cashing in on a player in the last year of his current contract - regardless of new arrivals like Heggebø.