West Brom face two transfer concerns, one involves Josh Maja | OneFootball

The Baggies will be looking to retain Josh Maja and Tom Fellows in January

West Bromwich Albion will be hoping for an unhitched January transfer window in order to maintain their ambitions of securing a top-six spot come the end of the 2024/25 Championship campaign.

It's going to be a crucial window for the Baggies, who have just fallen away somewhat after making an electrifying and unprecedented start to the season under Carlos Corberan.

West Brom won five of their opening six matches but have only claimed one more victory since September, which came as they took all three points from Hull City last month. The 2-1 victory at the MKM Stadium is the Baggies' only win in their last nine, although rather astonishingly, eight of those have been draws in a somewhat-impressive unbeaten run.

You do get the impression that Carlos Corberan will have to bring a couple of fresh faces to the Hawthorns to keep West Brom pushing around the play-off places, but player retention may be the real key call of duty and with that in mind, Football League World has looked at two transfer concerns which are seemingly on the horizon.

Losing Josh Maja

According to a recent report from Spanish outlet Super Deporte, LaLiga duo Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad are both interested in Josh Maja, who is reportedly valued at €20 million (£16.7 million) by the Baggies as they look to fend off interest ahead of the next window.

It's no surprise that the Baggies are seemingly trying to price out Maja's suitors. The 25-year-old has been a sensation this term after enduring an injury-plagued season last time out, vindicating West Brom's decision to return him to English football from Bordeaux and proving himself more than capable of being the side's talisman all year long.

Maja started the campaign in sensational fashion by netting an opening day hat-trick in the 3-1 win at QPR, but unlike some of his teammates, his strong form has been retained. At the time of writing, only Norwich City star Borja Sainz has bettered his return of 10 league goals, which have come from just 17 appearances.

The former Sunderland frontman has been a star this term and his goals will have a big part to play in wherever his side finish the season, so the prospect of losing him must really be avoided at all costs - even if their hefty asking price is met.

Losing Tom Fellows

So often Maja's partner in crime, the mutually-beneficial chemistry in which the duo have struck up this season has been something to behold at its best.

Impressively, all but one of Fellows' six league assists so far this season have been for Maja, who has reaped all the rewards from the youngster's direct and pinpoint crossing.

A traditional, old-school winger, Fellows' directness, speed and willingness to cross from the byline have come up trumps for Albion for parts of this season, even though his form has been patchy in recent weeks. But, given his age, undoubted talent and promise and previous interest, they may still be sweating over his immediate future.

Back in the summer, Albion reportedly rejected offers from newly-promoted Premier League duo Ipswich Town and Southampton for Fellows. There will naturally be a fear of losing the 21-year-old, especially if he rediscovers his best form between now and January.

Like Maja, they must really fight with all their might to retain the academy product should suitors come calling, and they'll fancy their chances of doing so too, but it's still going to be a concern.