Sunderland transfer target Divin Mubama leaving West Ham amid Black Cats Link
THE door has been opened for Sunderland to make a move for Divin Mubama after the striker’s West Ham exit was confirmed.
Mubama’s contract is due to expire today and the Hammers have now confirmed the 19-year-old will be moving on after the Premier League club were unable to come to an agreement over an extension with the frontman.
West Ham released their retained list earlier this summer but at that stage said they “remained in talks regarding a potential new contract” with Mubama.
But with the London club unable to convince Mubama to stay, he will now become a free agent, which will undoubtedly grab the attention of Sunderland.
Mubama spent 11 years with West Ham, having first joined the academy when he was just eight. He worked his way through the age groups and has made 18 first team appearances, featuring in the Premier League, domestic cup competitions and in Europe.
He enjoyed a breakthrough 2022/23 campaign and was named Mark Noble’s Young Hammer of the Year. But he was limited to just five first team appearances in the Premier League last season, the last of which came back in January.
His struggle for game-turn led to interest from elsewhere in the winter window, with Sunderland first linked in January, alongside West Brom and Everton.
West Ham refused to sanction a loan exit in January, but Sunderland have kept tabs on Mubama’s situation since.
Sunderland have had success with young talent from West Ham, with Aji Alese and Pierre Ekwah both leaving the Hammers for Wearside and establishing themselves as key first team figures at the Stadium of Light.
Strengthening the forward line is a priority for Sunderland this summer, with the Black Cats set to press on with transfer plans after the appointment of head coach Regis Le Bris, who officially starts work on Monday.
A West Ham statement released on Sunday said: “West Ham United can confirm that Ben Johnson and Divin Mubama will leave the Club when their respective contracts expire at midnight on 30 June 2024.
“West Ham United would like to thank Ben and Divin for their hard work and commitment during their careers in Claret and Blue and wish them the very best in the future.”
Evans made 67 appearances across three seasons at the club having joined from Blackburn Rovers, and was an integral part of the side that won promotion from League One and then stabilised in the Championship. He departs after recently recovering from a major ACL injury.
Evans is one of four members of the senior squad who have left as their contracts came to an end this summer, with also Dack departing after an injury-hit campaign at the club. The former Blackburn Rovers man spent just one season at the Stadium of Light and was rumoured to be one of the Black Cats’ higher earners on around £15k-per-week.
