Josh Maja has the world at his feet right now, Sunderland are fighting for promotion back to the Championship, and the 20-year-old has 15 goals in 29 games in all competitions.

What could be better than that in what is his breakout season at the Stadium of Light after last year’s shambles?

The striker’s contract ends in the summer when he will be a free agent.

Jack Ross and the Sunderland hierarchy have worked hard to construct a deal, with the club positive he would sign.

But events have transpired that the Maja’s agent informed him not to sign the deal, and told Sky TV rather than the club, according to Black Cats owner Stewart Donald via his Twitter account.

This is poor form, it’s an agent making the mind up for a player, and I feel this could be detrimental to the future of the striker.

My view with agents, some of them, are that they are after personal gain and a quick buck when it comes to transfers.

Maja is only 20 and wanted to sign the deal on my own accord, according to Donald.

But after being advised not to by his agent, the forward remains without a future beyond June.

There are a plethora of clubs interested in the striker, and he could go wherever he wanted – and the financial gain would be exponential compared to his current deal, for sure.

But the fact he wanted to sign before being told not you makes you wonder if the agent is even looking after his client to the best of his ability and considering what is right for the player ahead of financially motivated.

The player's thoughts should always be considered, and that should be paramount in any decision.

Money dictates but at 20, and the player Maja is, that will come, in good time - it’s about development at this stage.

Any potential move could be a mistake, as he could be stuck on the bench and play less, and have fewer chances that he has been afforded by Ross this season.

His spot in the Sunderland side is safe, he is progressing and developing well – but that all could grind to a halt if a move away sees him sit on the bench more.

That wills stunt his progress and ends the good form he has been on.

Admittedly, it could work the other way, and he could be a star – but once again, the rate he is going, that will all come in time.

Call me old fashioned, but I think Maja should stick with Sunderland and progress in his career before the riches come – and they will.

If he is good as many feel he is and can be, all the fame and fortune with it will come – too much too soon could derail his ambition and drive if he is sitting on a salary five times or so what he is already on.

It makes sense to remain at the Stadium of Light where his future is bright as opposed to a move away that could turn out to be a mistake and one; he could well regret when he inevitably hangs up his boots.