Can Stoke City seal permanent Man City, Divin Mubama transfer? “Several million” claim made | OneFootball

FLW’s Potters expert weighs in on the chances of a permanent deal for the Man City striker

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Divin Mubama’s loan spell at Stoke City has hit full stride - and then some.

The Manchester City loanee produced a stunning display in the Potters’ 5-1 dismantling of Bristol City at the weekend, netting a hat-trick and laying on an assist in what was arguably Stoke's most complete performance so far under Mark Robins.

It was a result that lifted Stoke to third in the Championship table until the division’s midweek games and, more importantly, underlined Mubama’s growing influence as a key figure in their promotion push.

Mubama opened the scoring early, turning in Junior Tchamadeu’s low cross, before reacting quickest to punish an error from Bristol City goalkeeper Radek Vitek.

He then linked up neatly with Million Manhoef in a quick one-two for Stoke’s third, and completed his hat-trick after the break with a thumping finish from close range.

It was the first senior treble of his career, and it underlined why he’s quickly becoming a key figure in Robins’ starting eleven.

The 21-year-old has now scored five league goals this season, finding form again after a quiet spell in front of goal through September and October.

Divin Mubama unlikely to turn Stoke City move permanent, according to Potters expert

It’s no wonder Pep Guardiola and his staff at City’s academy are watching closely. Mubama’s blend of pace, power and finishing instinct has drawn comparisons with Erling Haaland, though the pathway to City’s first team is, understandably, steep.

Still, his progress at Stoke suggests he’s building the kind of senior experience City value highly - either as a future squad option, or as a valuable sale in their ever-lucrative academy pipeline.

After such an emphatic display, speculation has naturally turned to what comes next. Could Stoke make Mubama’s move permanent?

To ascertain those chances, Football League World spoke to resident Potters fan pundit Pete O’Connell to ask if a switch could be on the cards for the striker.

“In answer to the question about Mubama and basically whether there's any possibility of a permanent deal being struck,” O’Connell told FLW.

“I don't think that that is possible, with the exception that if Stoke somehow end up in the Premier League at the end of the season, which I think is unlikely.

“I expect that Man City would want several million for him, which would be impossible, not because we haven't got the money, but because of the PSR rules in the EFL.

“I know that we were pretty close to breaking them without selling the ground a couple of years ago, and for that reason, I don't think it would be possible.

“Almost the exact same situation applies with Ashley Phillips, who, I think from a fan's point of view, Ashley Phillips would be preferable to Mubama, albeit Mubama’s got everything to be a top class center forward going forward.”

EFL rules and Manchester City valuation make Divin Mubama move difficult

The idea of keeping Mubama beyond this season will certainly appeal to supporters, but financially it’s hard to see a realistic route for Stoke to make that happen.

Unless promotion to the Premier League materialises, it seems that a permanent move is off the table.

That doesn’t make the loan any less valuable, though. Mubama is playing regular football, developing in a competitive environment, and giving Stoke a much-needed presence up front.

Mark Robins has spoken about how Mubama listens, learns, and applies himself in training, and those traits have been clear in recent weeks.

His finishing has sharpened, his link-up play has improved, and his confidence looks to be back.

Even if Stoke can’t keep him long-term, they’ll hope to benefit from that momentum across the rest of the season as they push for a top-six finish.

For now, all parties can be satisfied. Mubama’s goals are helping Stoke climb the table, while City can be encouraged by the progress of another promising young player on their books.

Whether he ends up back at the Etihad, out on another loan, or attracting permanent interest elsewhere, his time in Staffordshire is clearly moving his career forward.