Sunderland have been told they are unlikely to sign one of their attacking transfer targets in January.
Sunderland are yet to sign anyone in the January transfer window, but are thought to be desperately on the search for a new striker to cancel out their problem in front of goal.
The Black Cats have been heavily relying on Jack Clarke for goals this term, with the winger contributing to 35% of their goals in the Championship.
They have already been linked with Kieffer Moore this month, with the Bournemouth forward looking very likely to return to the second tier on loan. However, Sunderland will face hefty competition for his signature.
The club have now added another Premier League star to their shortlist, with reports claiming that Sunderland are among a number of sides monitoring West Ham’s Divin Mubama.
Mubama has been with the Hammers since 2013 and made his senior debut in the Europa Conference League in November 2022.
The ‘determined’ teenager has 12 appearances to his name for the London outfit, as well as making four cameo appearances in the Premier League this term.
Mubama has turned down a new contract with David Moyes’ side and could leave the club on a free transfer in the summer if they fail to sell him in January.
While the Black Cats look to be well in the race to sign Mubama alongside West Brom and Everton, journalist Michael Graham has played down talk of a potential move.
Writing on X to the rumour, Graham said: “Divin Mubama to Sunderland links were always going to come out.
“West Ham don’t want to lose him, which should tell you something about him, but if they have to then #SAFC a destination they’d welcome for him due to the potential for a good sell-on. Wouldn’t expect it though.”
Should Sunderland pursue Divin Mubama?
Divin Mubama is clearly very highly-rated at West Ham, with it actually being the player who is looking to move elsewhere rather than the club wanting to offload him.
However, the 19-year-old has only scored one senior goal in his career so far and would only add to the list of inexperienced, unproven strikers that Sunderland already have on their roster.
Mason Burstow was also highly-regarded at Chelsea and was expected to impress in the Championship, but has done quite the opposite.
Why should Michael Beale‘s side take the same risk again? There doesn’t seem to be any point in adding another forward to the mix if it is going to be the same end result as all the others.