Show caption Josh Maja has scored 14 goals in the Championship for Sunderland this season. Photograph: Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images Sunderland Josh Maja rejects Sunderland contract extension amid Premier League interest • Striker has interest from Palace, Huddersfield and Man City

• Stewart Donald says he is determined to keep Maja Ed Aarons @ed_aarons Fri 4 Jan 2019 09.10 EST Share on Facebook

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Josh Maja could leave Sunderland this month after rejecting the offer of a new contract, with the 20-year-old striker wanted by a host of Premier League clubs including Crystal Palace, Huddersfield and Manchester City.

Maja, who has scored 14 goals in League One this season from 23 appearances, is out of contract in the summer but is understood to have told Sunderland he is unwilling to sign a new long-term deal worth significantly more than his current salary. That has alerted the likes of Palace and Huddersfield, who are both desperate to recruit attacking options this month, while it is understood that clubs in Germany are also interested given that Maja is now free to agree personal terms with overseas clubs. City, where he spent time as a youth player, have asked to be kept informed over his situation.

The Sunderland owner, Stewart Donald, issued a statement on Friday claiming the striker had performed a dramatic U-turn having previously agreed to sign his deal.

He wrote: “Yesterday Josh asked to see [manager] Jack [Ross] to say he will sign. Today I got a call from Sky TV saying he won’t sign. Josh advised his agent has said don’t sign but no courtesy to tell the club - Also we offered what the agent indicated!!! Busy January ahead.”

@SunderlandAFC Josh Maja update. Yesterday Josh asked to see Jack to say he will sign. Today I got a call from Sky TV saying he won't sign. Josh advised his agent has said don't sign but no courtesy to tell the club - Also we offered what the agent indicated!!! Busy January ahead — stewart donald (@stewartdonald3) January 4, 2019