Derby County want to sign West Ham United striker Divin Mubama in January
Derby County want to sign West Ham United sensation Divin Mubama in the January transfer window, with this weekend “pivotal” to his future according to Claret & Hugh.
Writing on their website (22 November), the news outlet report that the academy graduate is a target of the League One outfit this winter with his current contract at the London Stadium due to expire in the summer.
But while West Ham are keen to keep him beyond that, with talks for a new deal underway, this weekend could be key to his future with Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen expected to be out injured meaning David Moyes’ intentions for him could come to light.
“West Ham’s striker, Divin Mubama, is rumoured to be a target for a January move to Derby County,” they wrote.
“The nature of this potential transfer, whether it’s a loan or a permanent deal, remains unknown at this time.
“This coming weekend should be a pivotal one for Mubama. With Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen seemingly unavailable through injury, the young striker will finally find out whether David Moyes as any intention of using him this season.”
Step down
Mubama clearly isn’t quite good enough yet to be a regular starter for West Ham, but he is good enough to be an option and should have had more game time this season.
So it’s no surprise that he is looking at his options elsewhere, with his contract situation giving him the opportunity to explore every possibility for his career.
Stepping down to League One would undoubtedly get him game time, but it wouldn’t be at a level worthy of his quality and he should be aiming higher than that.
But if the club are intent on keeping him at the London Stadium beyond next summer, then David Moyes will need to show him that he has a future here. If he can’t get game time when two first-choice attackers are out, then he probably never will.
It’ll be an interesting situation to keep an eye on, but Mubama’s future currently seems to be away from east London.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano drops update on striker hunt ahead of January window.