MIDDLESBROUGH have been offered the chance to sign former Sunderland striker Josh Maja – but Bordeaux will have to lower their asking price considerably for the Teessiders to consider a deal.

Maja joined Bordeaux from Sunderland in January 2019, but has struggled to establish himself in Ligue 1, scoring just nine goals in 45 matches.

He moved back to England to join Fulham on loan in the second half of last season, but while he scored three goals in 15 Premier League appearances, his efforts were insufficient to keep the Cottagers in the top-flight.

Fulham agreed a clause that would have enabled them to sign Maja on a permanent basis for £9m this summer, but following their relegation, they have opted not to take up the deal.

As things stand, Maja will return to Bordeaux for pre-season training, but his French employers are keen to move him on this summer and are understood to have flagged up his availability to a number of English clubs.

Middlesbrough officials are aware of Maja’s position, and with Neil Warnock having previously tried to sign him when he was manager of Cardiff City, the 22-year-old is regarded as a potentially-attractive proposition.

However, while Warnock will have limited funds available to invest this summer, he will not be operating from the kind of position that would enable him to spend anything like £9m on a centre-forward.

Boro are willing to discuss a cut-price deal with Bordeaux, although at this stage, a loan deal is regarded as a more realistic scenario. That could be an option later in the summer, but for now, the Bordeaux hierarchy are expected to hold out for a permanent transfer.

The financial aspect of any deal is complicated by the fact that Sunderland have a sell-on clause worth around ten per cent of any fee Bordeaux receive for Maja. The clause means Bordeaux’s owners are understandably reluctant to lower their asking price too much.

Boro’s players are due to return for the start of pre-season training on Thursday, with the club’s opening pre-season game due to take place at Bishop Auckland on July 14.

Lewis Wing will report to Rockliffe Park following the end of last season’s loan deal at Rotherham, but Sheffield Wednesday have expressed an interest in signing the midfielder.

Wednesday were relegated to League One last term and have identified Wing as a key target in their rebuilding process.