Stoke City, Watford and Bristol City should be on red alert after West Brom decision | OneFootball

Josh Maja is officially a free agent, and these three Championship sides should be readying offers for him

Josh Maja is officially a free agent after he failed to agree a new contract with West Brom this summer.

It's been two months since the Baggies released their retained list for the season, with it being revealed that the 27-year-old was in negotiations with the club over a new deal.

However, with both Barney Stewart and Jimmy-Jay Morgan arriving in the interim, the chances of Maja staying at the Hawthorns became slimmer and slimmer, and it was finally stated on July 13 by Darren Witcoop that the frontman was set to move on after three years at the club.

Maja failed to capitalise on the momentum he had from the 2024/25 campaign last season. It was hoped that, if fully fit, he could replicate his 12 goals in 26 games across a full year and help fire a Ryan Mason-led Baggies side into the play-offs.

In the end, it was a disappointing campaign for both West Brom and Maja, who scored just once in league action before mid-March and struggled for regular starts. He did re-emerge as a regular starter under the interim leadership of James Morrison, netting three in his final seven starts. Still, he won't be continuing that into the new season at the Hawthorns.

There is still an established Championship striker there, though, and these three sides should be keen on taking a punt on the 27-year-old on a free transfer this summer.

Stoke City

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Josh Maja spent a period on loan at Stoke City while he was a Bordeaux player back in the second half of the 2021/22 season.

The then 23-year-old frontman didn't exactly hit the ground running during his time at the bet365 Stadium, netting just twice in 17 games in all competitions, but the Potters should be taking a look at bolstering their frontline with him four years later.

Mark Robins' side struggled for goals from their strikers last season. Midfielders Sorba Thomas and Million Manhoef led the scoring ranks, and Manchester City loanee Divin Mubama was the only recognised frontman to score more than three league goals. Three of those five came in the same game against Bristol City.

Stoke need a potent frontman heading into this season. There'll be the hope that Milan Smit can become that in his first full year at the club, but better options will be needed in reserve in case the 23-year-old doesn't make that step.

Maja, even off a bad season, carries more of a threat than Robert Bozenik and Sam Gallagher, so Mark Robins should be interested in striking a deal with the hope that the 27-year-old could return to his best under his guidance.

Watford

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Watford are heading into the summer with the need to bring in a new, experienced frontman to replace last season's top scorer, Luca Kjerrumgaard, who returned to parent club Udinese at the end of his loan spell.

Currently, 20-year-old Mamadou Doumbia is the first-choice frontman at Vicarage Road, with 21-year-old Vivaldo Semedo in reserve.

Both chipped in with goals last year and could be in for a breakout season in 2026/27, but Alessio Dionisi will need a more experienced frontman to rely on in case that doesn't materialise.

The Hornets do have a lot of exciting young talent across the squad, but they'll need to balance that with some experience. Also, Maja isn't exactly a veteran, so he could easily contribute if the environment is right at Watford.

Not many know what to expect from Watford, and the same can be said about Maja, who will be out to prove that he has more campaigns like the one two years ago in his future, rather than last season's.

Bristol City

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Bristol City have been very busy in the transfer window thus far, bringing in seven players, as of writing.

The likes of Sam Tickle and Brad Collins have strengthened in between the sticks, Sam Greenwood helps provide creativity in the number 10 role and competition for Scott Twine, and Jed Wallace provides good Championship experience off the wing.

Now, the focus for Michael Skubala has to be to bolster the frontline, which is currently occupied by Emil Riis and young 18-year-old arrival Billy O'Neill.

Riis, while solid, isn't someone who can shoulder the majority of the attacking load for a side chasing the play-offs, and while Maja didn't show that skill last year either, his ability to do so is arguably stronger than the Danes.

But even if Maja can come in and score 10, while Riis does the same, it would give the new Robins boss a good selection headache at the top end of the pitch and a couple of serviceable frontmen ahead of the new season.