Rangers’ reported interest in Bordeaux striker Josh Maja suffered a Ligue 1 promotion blow this weekend as the men behind Premier League Chelsea consider investing in the French club.
The Gers have been extensively linked with a move for Josh Maja ahead of the summer transfer window, with more firepower top of the transfer list for Ibrox manager Michael Beale.
While most of the Rangers transfer talk surrounds five players who do not play as strikers, Maja probably represents the most prominent forward link.
However, those apparent Rangers hopes have reportedly suffered a potentially sizeable blow as Maja’s Bordeaux side took a step closer to Ligue 1 promotion over the weekend.
Bordeaux and Josh Maja take Ligue 1 promotion step
While the English-born Nigerian striker, 24, failed to add to his impressive haul of 17 goals in France this season, Maja played in Bordeaux’s 3-0 win over Stade Laval which has taken them one step closer to the French top flight.
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With promotion-chasing rivals FC Metz slipping up courtesy of a 1-1 draw with Guingamp, Bordeaux now only need four points from their final two Ligue 2 games against Annecy (a) and Rodez (h) to guarantee promotion.
It’s not just the lure of a season in the French top flight that might convince the striker to stay in southern France. Reports have claimed that Bordeaux have a Maja contract extension option in the event of promotion.
Rangers fans have been watching the situation with Maja closely heading into the summer, with the player clearly someone who is known to Beale.
Linked to Rangers during his time at Sunderland, Steven Gerrard reportedly considered taking Maja to Ibrox before Bordeaux pounced in 2019.
The striker has even directly responded to questions about potential interest from Rangers and – not ruling anything out – claimed he “can’t think about that at the moment” with Bordeaux in the middle of a promotion push.
Bordeaux chief talks potential Chelsea investment
The news comes amid murmurs of fresh investment coming into Bordeaux which could entice Maja further, as Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is linked with the French club.
With Maja out of contract in the summer, perhaps fresh finance and money can convince him to sign another deal in France, as Bordeaux owner Gerard Lopez revealed Les Girondins have been in discussions with the Chelsea owner.
“We’ve had discussions for a while and some are still ongoing,” Lopez told L’Equipe. “[Although] a dozen investors have contacted me in the last year.
“We know that the investment funds that are in Chelsea and other investors in English football are watching a lot of French clubs. We were among them but there were a lot of options.
“If there is an investor who comes in, we’ll have to make room. But it’s my club, I’d like to see it return to its rightful place and whatever happens, I want to be part of the journey.”
As Maja’s contract ticks down at Bordeaux, it’s interesting to consider the potential threat of Chelsea’s millions to any Rangers interest, while the Gers are not the only club said to be interested.