MANCHESTER CITY are expected to pull off a surprise move for a club-less England Under-20 striker.
Etihad chief Pep Guardiola wants to recruit top young British talent and eventually replace Julian Alvarez – sold to Atletico Madrid for £81million.
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And it’s claimed the Premier League champs are “close” to landing Divin Mubama, who left West Ham after failing to agree a new deal.
Mubama, 19, and 24-year-old English defender Ben Johnson both became free agents once their Hammers’ contracts expired in June.
The six-foot frontman has since been linked with clubs on the continent.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano believes French giants Lyon and Portuguese top-flight side Famalicao have held talks over signing him.
But Romano now reckons City are poised to “hijack” any overseas move for Mubama.
And Etihad chiefs are reportedly negotiating with the Hammers over paying “training compensation” – for developing the starlet since he was aged eight.
Guardiola would love to see more home-grown prospects at the Etihad
But if Mubama does switch to the Etihad, it’s likely he’ll be developed away from the senior squad.
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He only made five Prem appearances for West Ham last season, failing to score.
But it’s thought the Hammers were keen to keep hold of him – only for Mubama to decide he should progress at another club.
In all, he played 19 senior games for his childhood club, notching one goal and a single assist.
But Mubama has played for England at all levels since U-15s.
And he was prolific for West Ham below senior level.
He netted 18 times in 34 matches for the club’s U-21s.
And as a member of the Hammers’ team that won the 2023 FA Youth Cup, he netted a semi-final hat-trick.
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