Divin Mubama shocked West Ham by leaving after snubbing a new contract last summer and now his future is set for another twist at Manchester City.
After snubbing the Hammers, the club he had been at from the age of six, Divin Mubama was linked with the likes of Sunderland last summer.
But a couple of months after walking out on West Ham, Mubama caused an even bigger stir – by rocking up and signing for the then Premier League and world champions Manchester City.
There were high hopes for Mubama when he was elevated to West Ham’s first team during David Moyes’ tenure.
Mubama shocked and angered West Ham with contract snub
But after growing frustrated with a lack of proper chances beyond late cameos, Mubama actually rejected a number of new contract offers – including a late final attempt to get him to stay in east London.
That meant he left the club as a free agent at the end of June, a situation which divided opinion among West Ham fans and angered Moyes and the board.
Many Hammers supporters felt Mubama was not yet up to the level required to play regularly for West Ham in the Premier League.
It was felt by the club that signing a new deal before then going and possibly cutting his teeth with a loan in the Championship would be the best course of action for Mubama’s career.
Some West Ham fans felt Mubama was never given a proper run of games by Moyes to show his true talent.
There was utter disbelief when Mubama emerged at Man City as a signing last August, though.
After all, if he couldn’t get in West Ham’s team what hope did Mubama have of game time at Man City?
Ironically the Hammers now have a manager in place in Graham Potter who is not afraid to turn to the Academy stars.
A number of top emerging West Ham talents have been leaving the club like Mubama in recent years.
West Ham won’t believe Mubama situation at Man City
Many of them – including the likes of Divine Musaka – have joined Manchester City, who, despite having plenty of money, are hoovering up the top starlets for next to nothing.
Now what’s unfolding with Mubama at Man City will catch the attention of West Ham and begs some big questions.
They say the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
And Mubama might be about to prove that just nine months after joining Manchester City following his West Ham snub.
Because BBC Sport’s chief football news reporter Simon Stone has revealed Man City could be about to get rid of Mubama already.
And it raises two massive questions – one of them particularly tantalising.
Mubama done at Man City already
The club has confirmed Mubama will not be part of their Premier League 2 squad next season.
And he won’t be kept around with Stone reporting that Mubama will now be sold or, at best, loaned out.
After making 18 senior appearances for the Hammers, Mubama’s move to Man City resulted in just two for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Stone says Man City’s Elite Development Squad head coach Ben Wilkinson has confirmed Mubama will not be around next term.
And he says the next steps for the young striker are hazardous.
“We’ve got players in our team we’d expect not to see next year because they’re ready to make that step and he’s (Mubama) probably one of them,” said Wilkinson.
“It’s trying to help with that next step and guide them in the right direction…
“The problem is it has been notoriously hard for young strikers to go out on loan and succeed in the Championship or League One. You used to have someone next to you and now you’re a 19, 20-year-old number nine up against two big centre halves and the service might not be great.”
Grass not greener but could West Ham return be on cards?
It begs two big questions.
Was it really a good move for Mubama to snub West Ham and sign for Man City instead?
Cynics would label that leap somewhat delusional.
The other intriguing question it also poses is about a possible return to West Ham.
Could Mubama come back to the London Stadium for a nominal fee or even on loan with his tail between his legs and a point to prove?
After all West Ham are in desperate need of young new forwards and Mubama is, deep down, one of the club’s own.
Especially now Potter is at the helm and keen to promote youth.
West Ham will be watching the situation with particular interest.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
