Manchester City are reportedly closing in on the signing of teenage striker following his departure from a Premier League club.
Manchester City are reportedly closing in on the signing of teenage striker Divin Mubama following his departure from West Ham United.
The 19-year-old progressed through West Ham’s academy which he joined at the age of eight back in 2013, but he departed the club at the end of June following the expiration of his contract.
Mubama, who has represented England at all youth age groups from Under-15s to Under-20s, impressed at youth level for the Hammers, scoring 58 goals in 91 appearances for the Under-18s and Under-21s, and was a member of the squad that won the 2023 FA Youth Cup.
The Newham-born striker made his senior debut for West Ham in a Europa Conference League group-stage win over FCSB in November 2022, before scoring his first and only senior goal in a last-16 victory over AEK Larnaca at the London Stadium in March 2023.
Mubama went on to make a total of 18 first-team appearances for West Ham, including eight Premier League outings, but he is now searching for a new club after turning down a contract extension offered to him by the Hammers.
Championship club Sunderland were credited with an interest in Mubama earlier this summer, while journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Ligue 1 outfit Lyon and Portuguese side Famalicao have both been in talks to sign the striker.
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Man City ‘agree’ deal to sign Mubama
However, it is now understood that Man City have stepped in to hijack their respective pursuits and are in advanced negotiations to recruit the youngster.
A report from the Daily Mail claims that the Citizens have agreed a fee in the region of £1.5m with West Ham as compensation for Mubama.
Although Mubama departed West Ham in search of regular first-team football, it now seems that a move to the reigning Premier League champions is too good for him to turn down.
Pep Guardiola‘s side are on the lookout for attacking reinforcements following the club-record sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid and long-term injury sustained by Oscar Bobb.
However, it is thought that Mubama would most likely begin life at the Etihad Stadium in the club’s Elite Development Squad with a view to making first-team appearances, should he finalise a move to the blue side of Manchester, subject to a medical.
The Citizens are said view Mubama as homegrown player who has the potential to develop with the right pathway, while the possibility of going out on loan to play regularly cannot be ruled out.