Star sends emotional West Ham farewell as fee agreed with Premier League rivals Man City. A star has poured his heart out on social media and thanked West Ham fans who backed him until the end as he joins Man City.
West Ham play Manchester City on the pitch on Saturday but the clubs have been in talks over a deal off it too. It wouldn’t be the first time West Ham and Man City have held high levels talks over players in the last year either. The Hammers came close to signing Cole Palmer before Chelsea swooped and Man City bid for Declan Rice but he chose Arsenal.
It’s widely known that West Ham were poised to sell Lucas Paqueta to Man City for his £85m release clause before accusations – and later charges – emerged against him over illegal betting. That put paid to a “dream” move to Manchester City last summer. And when they were made official charges at the end of last season, it stopped any chance of a move this summer too.
That has had an impact on West Ham’s budget. Although Tim Steidten has still managed to pull off a brilliant window – on paper at least – with eight new arrivals.
Money is finally set to change hands between Manchester City and West Ham for a player, though. There have been several departures from the London Stadium this summer.
West Ham agree Divin Mubama to Manchester City transfer. One of them, Divin Mubama, is about to officially join Manchester City after £2m compensation was agreed with the Hammers.
The likes of Manchester Evening News claimed the champions were set to sign Hammers academy graduate Mubama after he left West Ham as a free agent this summer having snubbed a new contract with his boyhood club.
The forward and his representatives reportedly made big demands of the Hammers and Mubama believed he deserved more game time under David Moyes. Mubama had been linked with moves to Sunderland and even Lyon.
But in one of the most surprising stories of the window, Pep Guardiola is set to bring him in. West Ham would be entitled to compensation from Man City for Mubama.
Tribunals deciding those fees are notorious for setting a very low bar on the amounts they order clubs to pay out. But West Ham have reportedly settled on £2m for the striker.
Divin Mubama sends emotional West Ham farewell. Announcing his move to Man City with a post on Instagram, Mubama has spoken for the first time since leaving the Hammers.
The star has sent an emotional West Ham farewell as a fee is agreed with Premier League rivals Man City. And he makes special mention for Hammers fans who stuck by him to the end after some were angered by his contract refusal.
“Firstly I would like to thank everyone at West Ham, players and staff who all played a massive role in my development during my 11 year journey,” Mubama said alongside a picture of himself as a young child in full Hammers training tracksuit.
“Making a little boy from Newham’s dream come true by playing in the Premier League, something that I will forever be grateful for. I learnt a lot of valuable things throughout my time from top professionals on and off the pitch that I will continue on my next journey in order to help me grow and develop throughout my professional career.
“Also a big thank you to the fans for welcoming me me with open arms any and every time whether it would be on or off the pitch and particularly those who showed me unwavering support up until now. I wish everyone associated at West Ham United FC, nothing but the best.”
Mubama followed the post with a picture of him in his Man City training top, saying: “New chapter.”
Once a Hammer, always a Hammer as the saying goes. But West Ham fans will no doubt be keen to keep an eye on Mubama’s progress, or lack of it, at Man City.
The general consensus of opinion in Hammers circles is Mubama will be filed under Sears, Oxford, Ngakia, Diangana, Perkins and Ashby – to name but a few. All the best to the young striker, though, in his pursuit of regular Premier League football.
