Manchester City forward Divin Mubama is close to joining Southampton on loan after the Championship club reached a verbal agreement with the Premier League side.
The proposed move would see the 21-year-old return to England’s second tier after an encouraging spell with Stoke City last season.
However, the deal is not yet complete, with Manchester City’s final approval still required. Internal discussions at the club are continuing before a decision is made.
Mubama, who was born in England and is of Democratic Republic of Congo descent, is viewed as a promising young striker who needs regular first-team football to continue his development.
A move to Southampton could provide that opportunity, with the forward facing significant competition for places at Manchester City.
Mubama spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Stoke, making 26 Championship appearances and scoring five goals, while also providing one assist.
His best moment came in November when he scored a hat-trick in Stoke’s 5-1 victory over Bristol City.
He started 20 of his league appearances and showed he could operate as a traditional number nine while also contributing to the wider attacking play of his team.
His season was disrupted towards the end, but his performances were enough to demonstrate his potential at Championship level.
Southampton’s interest comes after Mubama also impressed during Manchester City’s development programme.
The striker joined City from West Ham United in 2024 after making 16 senior appearances for the Hammers, including eight in the Premier League.
At City, he initially made his biggest impact with the Elite Development Squad.
During his first season, Mubama scored 10 goals and provided four assists in nine Premier League 2 appearances. His form earned him the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for February after he registered five goals and two assists during the month.
He then continued his scoring run in the play-offs, finding the net in all four matches as Manchester City won the Premier League 2 title.
Mubama scored twice against Liverpool before also scoring against Arsenal, Manchester United and Southampton.
Those performances underlined why Manchester City invested in the young forward and why another loan is being considered as part of his development.
Mubama has also been involved with several England youth teams, representing the country at under-15, under-16, under-18 and under-19 level before progressing to the under-21s.
He has also featured twice for Manchester City’s senior side.
His form has continued into the current pre-season. Mubama has scored twice and provided an assist in three matches, giving him another opportunity to demonstrate his readiness for regular senior football.
Despite that progress, competition for attacking positions at Manchester City means opportunities for sustained first-team football remain difficult to secure.
Southampton could therefore provide a more suitable environment for the next stage of his career.
The club would offer Mubama the chance to play regularly, take on greater responsibility and develop further in a competitive Championship environment.
