Most expensive sale in West Brom’s history: Super Eagles star’s N36 billion price tag stuns Palmer

Former Leeds United and Southampton star Carlton Palmer has expressed shock at the hefty price tag reportedly placed on West Brom striker Josh Maja, Soccernet.ng reports.

Maja has been key to West Brom’s fine run this term, with the Nigerian international playing a crucial role with ten goals and one assist in 16 Championship games.

The former Sunderland star’s impressive displays have caught the attention of clubs abroad, with Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo reportedly keen on signing him during the January transfer window.

West Brom are not eager to let the club’s leading goalscorer depart for a cheap, though, as the Baggies are demanding £17 million (approx. N36 billion) before sanctioning his sale.

That transfer fee would eclipse the £15.2m record package that West Brom received for Salomon Rondon in 2019.

Former England international Palmer is convinced it would be an ‘unbelievable business’ if West Brom got the deal done for Maja, who arrived at the club on a free transfer from Bordeaux.

“West Brom going along nicely in the Championship, their player Josh Maja, who is having a fantastic season so far, [has] interest from Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad,” Palmer told Football League World as per Football Fancast.

“Both looking for £17 million. West Brom signed him on a free transfer, so this would be unbelievable business for the football club.”

Palmer added, “I think it’s a fee that they wouldn’t be able to turn down… It’s always difficult circumstances, and this is the problem that sometimes comes with the transfer window. He’s doing really well for them, it’s going to be really difficult for them to turn down an offer of that magnitude if that offer actually materialises.”

This is the third time Maja, 25, would score ten or more goals in a single league campaign in his career.