Sunderland manager Jack Ross may well have resigned himself to the fact that his top scorer Josh Maja wants out of the Stadium of Light, after it was reported in the Sun on Sunday (January 13, Page 59) that the player's agent was close to finalising a deal for the player to go to a mystery side in Germany.

The 20-year-old who rejected the Black Cats' latest contract offer, has been a target of both Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim in Germany and Crystal Palace and Cardiff in the Premier League, according to the aforementioned report.

So is it inevitable that Maja will leave Sunderland?

We discuss.....

Jay Taylor

“The more interest and speculation there is on a player, the more the situation is highlighted.

“And with German clubs now after the Sunderland striker, it could make the saga all to public and difficult to continue with.

“If Maja wanted to sign and stay, he would have done so by now – but the fact he has not, says to many he could well be off.

“The more teams in for him, the more options he has – and that could prove pivotal in his decision.”

Louie Chandler

"Nothing is inevitable but it looks very likely.

"Maja has been tremendous this season but Sunderland cannot afford to keep hold of poisonous figures, which seems to be the players agent in this case.

"They should cash in and get a top replacement in to maintain their promotion push."

Gary Hutchinson

“It’s not inevitable, no.

“I’m disappointed in him to be honest.

“Jack Ross has given him his break, shown him the way forward and now he’s refusing to stay put.

“It is little wonder younger players don’t get a break when they show that sort of loyalty.”

Jacob Potter

"It’s only a matter of time.

"Maja should definitely be playing football at a higher level than League One, and he could be worth a punt for one of the Bundesliga clubs interested.

"Sunderland will need to have a replacement lined up as quickly as possible if Maja is to leave this month."