Josh Maja’s future remains uncertain, as he considers his options ahead of his contract with West Brom expiring at the end of this month.

The Baggies’ retained list in mid-May stated that the 27-year-old had been given a new contract, but it is yet to be announced whether he has accepted the new terms or will be leaving this summer.

Maja had a difficult goal-scoring performance last season, as West Brom just avoided relegation to the third division. He scored four goals in 40 league appearances, three of which came under new boss James Morrison in the latter stages of the season.

Because of that improvement in form, which coincided with a 10-game unbeaten run to secure survival, many are wondering if the 27-year-old is back to his best and if he can duplicate the stats he put up in the previous season, when he scored 12 goals in 26 league appearances.

Andy Johnson hopes Josh Maja extends his West Brom contract this summer.

Andy Johnson, a former West Brom midfielder and Baggies star, believes Maja is the club’s most complete frontman and expects to see him continue at the Hawthorns next season.Would I want Josh to stay? “Of course, I would,” he told Express and Star.He connects the midfield and forwards better than anybody else in the football club. “He has exceptional touch and can easily flip balls behind him.”He truly does notice it. If he forms a relationship with a winger who stands the ball up for him, he can attack and score goals.”

With West Brom succeeding in a 4-4-2 formation under James Morrison near the conclusion of the season, Johnson believes that having several forwards at the club will help to rotate and offer competition.

The Baggies released Daryl Dyke at the conclusion of his contract, and Karlan Grant is still under consideration. However, the 52-year-old believes Grant is better suited for wide positions.”I’d like to think we’d be looking for another striker,” he added. “Aune Heggebo has done fantastic up there, but we know Mozza [James Morrison] prefers to play two up, so he’ll surely need another striker.

“We know Karlan Grant can go up there, but he prefers on the wing — and I prefer him on the wing as well.”

Regardless of whether Maja signs a deal, West Brom will most likely need another frontman this summer. If the 27-year-old sticks around and takes up where he left off at the end of last season, Morrison could have a major selection dilemma at the top of the pitch.

Josh Maja will be under the microscope if he stays at West Brom this summer.

This season has been a disaster for West Brom, particularly in terms of attacking, and the sooner the new season begins, the better for the Baggies to put last year behind them.

Maja will be feeling the same way, as he struggled to find his footing, but the last few months have given Baggies fans optimism. Before March, there would not have been much objection to the 27-year-old’s departure. Some are now receptive to extending his contract.

If he does stay with West Brom, he will need to start the upcoming season as he did the previous one and demonstrate why he was given a new deal at the Hawthorns. There will be little space for error.

A lot of the success at the Hawthorns could be attributed to the patented ‘new manager bounce.’ The first few months of next season will be critical for the Baggies to disprove those rumours, both from a managerial and player perspective.

And it is up to Maja to get back to his best and prove that he merits that contract extension if he starts next season with West Brom.