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Divine Mukasa set for West Ham United exit to Manchester City as mother shares Fabrizio Romano update
Divine Mukasa’s imminent West Ham exit to Manchester City looks to have been confirmed on social media by his mother.
Laima Mukasa reposted Fabrizio Romano’s message on her personal Twitter account, with the Italian journalist’s 20 September update stating the treble winners were “poised to sign” the “best talent” for their academy.
The 16-year-old’s move is expected to be made official before the weekend as the Hammers look to have lost a talented prospect.
Mukasa will follow another former West Ham youngster to Manchester after Jamal Baptiste also signed for the European champions earlier this month.
Talent drain
Mukasa was some way off first-team consideration given his young age but it will still come as a blow to the Irons to lose a highly-rated youngster before he could break through.
It can be difficult for any side to keep hold of players at that stage of their development, and with the riches and success on offer at City plain for all to see at the moment most may be enticed.
The young midfielder had made 10 appearances for the Hammers under-18s side last season, registering a goal and an assist, but it looks like that is where his contribution to the club will end.
A strong academy at West Ham is never going to be able to retain every talent that comes through the ranks, but it is clearly a disappointment to lose players who have enough expected of them to head to top club in Europe currently.
Mukasa still has plenty of stages to get through in his development, and will no doubt be facing a very crowded field to get close to Pep Guardiola’s first team.
But it would perhaps still come as some gratification for the academy staff at West Ham to see one of their own break through if he does achieve it, even if it proves to be elsewhere.
In other West Ham news, one unhappy player who has made numerous appearances in the first team is now expected to leave as well in the next couple of windows.