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ALVAREZ REPLACEMENT?
Man City ‘close in on transfer signing of striker RELEASED by Premier League rivals’ in shock move
Top-flight champs are 'in talks' to land England U20 star who is a free agent
MANCHESTER CITY are expected to pull off a surprise move for a club-less England Under-20 striker.
Etihad chief Pep Guardiola wants to recruit top young British talent and eventually replace Julian Alvarez - sold to Atletico Madrid for £81million.
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And it's claimed the Premier League champs are "close" to landing Divin Mubama, who left West Ham after failing to agree a new deal.
Mubama, 19, and 24-year-old English defender Ben Johnson both became free agents once their Hammers' contracts expired in June.
The six-foot frontman has since been linked with clubs on the continent.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano believes French giants Lyon and Portuguese top-flight side Famalicao have held talks over signing him.
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But Romano now reckons City are poised to "hijack" any overseas move.
And Etihad chiefs are reportedly negotiating with the Hammers over paying "training compensation" - for developing Mubama since he was eight.
Guardiola would love more home-grown prospects at the Etihad.
But if Mubama does switch to the Etihad, it's likely he'll first be allowed to progress away from the senior squad.
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He only made five Prem appearances for West Ham last season, failing to score.
But it's thought the Hammers were keen to keep hold of him - only for Mubama to decide he should build his career at another club.
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In all, he played 19 senior games for his childhood club, notching one goal and a single assist.
But Mubama has played for England at all levels since U-15s.
And he was prolific for West Ham below senior level.
He netted 18 times in 34 matches for the club's U-21s.
And as a member of the Hammers' team that won the 2023 FA Youth Cup, he netted a semi-final hat-trick.
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