Stoke City are reportedly eyeing a loan move for 20-year-old Manchester City striker Divin Mubama, who made headlines last season with a remarkable 17 goals in just 13 Premier League 2 appearances. However, their interest comes amid competition from Ipswich Town, recently relegated from the Premier League, who are said to be considering a permanent move for the young talent. Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano previously linked Ipswich to Mubama, noting Manchester City’s £10 million valuation of the player. Mubama only joined City last summer after leaving West Ham United on a free, with the Premier League champions paying £1.5 million in compensation. He had starred at West Ham, leading their 2023 FA Youth Cup-winning campaign and finishing as top scorer with eight goals.
| Divin Mubama’s 24/25 Premier League 2 stats, as per FotMob | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 13 |
| Goals | 17 |
| Assists | 3 |
Since moving to Manchester, Mubama has had limited first-team exposure, making only two appearances under Pep Guardiola. Nonetheless, he made an instant impact, scoring on his debut in an emphatic 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City. Stoke City’s pursuit of Mubama could significantly influence their attacking setup. According to Sam Harrison of Football League World, the loan deal presents a strategic opportunity but comes with implications for the club’s existing striker options.
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Harrison points out that while wingers can often rotate between positions, a central striker role tends to be more fixed—especially if a player like Mubama replicates the kind of goal-scoring form Tom Cannon displayed during his time at Stoke. Cannon had dominated the role before his recall by Leicester City and subsequent move to Sheffield United. With Niall Ennis having joined Blackpool, there’s now room in the squad, but introducing Mubama would raise questions about the futures of Stoke’s young forwards like Emre Tezgel and Nathan Lowe.
Harrison suggests loaning out Tezgel and Lowe—both 19—could be beneficial. Lowe, who impressed during his loan spell at Walsall by scoring 18 goals in 30 matches, was named League Two’s Young Player of the Season. Meanwhile, Tezgel has committed to a new two-year deal with the Potters after battling through injury setbacks.
Stoke’s new manager Mark Robins is expected to offer chances to both young strikers, but Harrison believes the club should also consider a permanent addition up front, alongside any potential Mubama loan. He references Tom Cannon’s successful spell as an example to follow, advocating for a balanced striker pool that includes youth, like Mubama and Lowe, and experience—suggesting a player like Sam Gallagher to create genuine competition.
Ultimately, if Mubama can replicate Cannon’s impact, the loan could prove a masterstroke. However, with promising youngsters already in the squad, Stoke must carefully balance development opportunities with their immediate ambitions.
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