Sunderland are monitoring the future of West Ham United striker Divin Mubama ahead of a possible free transfer in the summer.
Sunderland’s hunt for a new striker has been well-documented throughout this window.
Despite signing four in the summer, Michael Beale wants to add a talisman to his ranks to boost their chances of finishing in the Championship play-offs.
Nazariy Rusyn is the only striker to score for Sunderland this term having netted in the 2-0 victory over Preston North End on New Year’s Day.
The club have been linked with several forwards who have vast experience of plying their trade in the EFL.
Kieffer Moore, who is currently out of favour at Bournemouth, is top of their list of targets.
Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers striker Sam Gallagher has been linked with a move to the Stadium of Light while Beale has also been urged to sign Peterborough United sharp shooter Jonson Clarke-Harris.
The above names are experienced strikers at this level who would help supplement the youth and rawness of their current crop of forwards.
That still hasn’t stopped Sunderland from monitoring West Ham’s teenage sensation Divin Mubama.
Sunderland could sign Divin Mubama on a free transfer
Given three of the Black Cat’s current strikers are aged 20 or under, supporters don’t feel like they need another inexperienced youngster to add to their ranks.
According to the Mail+, however, Sunderland are monitoring Mubama alongside West Bromwich Albion and Everton.
The 19-year-old is out of contract with the Hammers in June and is yet to sign a new deal at the London Stadium, meaning he could leave on a free transfer in the summer as it stands.
With David Moyes suffering injuries to Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen, Mubama’s importance to West Ham has increased.
The report states that the club don’t want him going out on loan and would prefer to keep the England U20 international around after offering him a new contract.
Should Sunderland pursue Mubama?
Although Mubama has been prolific for the Hammers academy having plundered 56 goals across 88 appearances for the U18s and U21s, his experience at first-team level is limited.
He’s only featured 16 times for the senior side in all competitions and while he is undoubtedly talented, Sunderland can ill-afford to take a risk on another youngster to lead their line.
Moyes also wants to keep the teenager around amid their current injury crisis and if he proves himself during their next run of games, the Black Cats will have next to no chance of landing him on a free in the summer.
Hailed as an “exciting talent” by journalist Antonio Mango, many are obliged to believe that Mubama is the next big thing to come from the London Stadium and it would be a disaster if the club didn’t provide him with the opportunity to prove that.