Southampton should rival Derby County for Man City deal after Spurs transfer setback | OneFootball

With a bid for Will Lankshear turned down, Southampton may have to pivot in their bid to bolster their strikeforce

Southampton are preparing to ramp up their summer transfer business with numerous moves for attacking players, but the answer to unlocking their final third may well come in the form of a loan move for a Manchester City star.

Southampton's controversial expulsion from the play-offs at the end of last season has been widely covered, yet the aftermath of the controversy still rumbles on.

German head coach Tonda Eckert, who orchestrated the Saints' 19-game unbeaten run in the Championship towards the back end of last campaign, could still face a ban for his role in Southampton's spying on opponents.

In the meantime, Eckert has been busy preparing his squad for next season despite the possibility he won't be in the dugout to begin the campaign.

Lewis Dobbin is edging closer to completing his move to the Saints for £9 million plus add-ons, whilst Werder Bremen forward Justin Njinmah has been linked with a move to the South Coast, as has Tottenham Hotspur striker Will Lankshear, with a bid for the Englishman being knocked back by the North London outfit.

Southampton's plan to improve the final third this summer has been made evident with this recent business, though should a move for Lankshear fall through, they must switch their attentions to Manchester for another in-demand forward.

Southampton should turn their attentions to Manchester City's Divin Mubama in case of Will Lankshear rejection despite Derby County interest

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With Ross Stewart having left the club following the expiry of his contract, a big gap must be filled up top at St Mary's this summer.

Whilst the returning Damion Downs and Ben Brereton Diaz will try and give Cyle Larin, who recently made his loan move a permanent one from Mallorca, a run for his money, it seems as though Eckert is focusing his attentions elsewhere this summer.

Lankshear has been earmarked for that main centre-forward role in Southampton's attack, but with interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sporting CP, they face stiff competition in the race for his services.

With the chance that Lankshear could pick someone other than St Mary's, the Saints must have a backup option just in case, and even though a bid has been made for Como striker Ivan Azon as well, they should look to sign Manchester City's Divin Mubama instead.

Mubama, 21, spent last season on loan with Stoke City in the English second tier, with whom he scored five and assisted one in 28 appearances across all competitions.

The England youth international came through the ranks at West Ham United, scoring prolifically for the Hammers' youth sides before joining Man City in the summer of 2024 for just a £1.2 million compensation fee.

With a certain Erling Haaland ahead of him in the pecking order, he was allowed to join Stoke on loan in the summer of 2025, where he started hot, scoring in his two opening games, as well as netting a hat-trick against Bristol City shortly after, but things quickly tailed off for the forward.

An injury sustained in January at home to Queens Park Rangers kept Mubama out for more or less the rest of the campaign, making just one appearance thereafter, bringing his time in the Potteries to an end.

Now, after his first season in first-team football, it was reported by Pete O'Rourke via X last week that Derby were in advanced talks to bring Mubama to Pride Park for the season, but a deal has yet to be completed.

With the England youth international still available, Southampton ought to swoop in whilst they can to lure the Man City forward to the South Coast instead.

Last season, as per FotMob, Mubama won 46.5 per cent of his duels, whilst winning 41 fouls, acting as a focal point for many of the Potters' attacks.

Standing at six-foot, the former West Ham academy hitman is a physical specimen, and utilising his body excellently, capable of holding up attacks and bringing surrounding attackers into the game, whilst also capable of getting on the end of crosses and through balls.

With the likes of Leo Scienza, Finn Azaz, Tom Fellows, Cameron Archer, and the incoming Dobbin surrounding him, Mubama could excel at St Mary's, and Southampton could excel with him leading the line and offering strong competition to Larin.

With Southampton having signed the likes of Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Shea Charles, Juan Larios, Romeo Lavia, Samuel Edozie, and Gavin Bazunu from City over the years, they should return with another offer for one of their youngsters, and for a player who could have a seismic impact in Hampshire.

Tonda Eckert must widen his scope in case Southampton miss out on Will Lankshear with a move for Divin Mubama

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With Lankshear a wanted man, there is every chance Southampton may miss out on his signature this summer.

In that instance, an alternative to push Larin for the starting berth at St Mary's is a necessity, with Mubama potentially an incredible option.

Although his time with Stoke didn't pull up any trees, the Potters' attack, aside from Sorba Thomas, was relatively toothless, and should Mubama be put into a different system with better players surrounding him, he could explode into life.

The Saints need a Stewart replacement, and with Derby yet to wrap up a deal for Mubama, they should swoop in whilst they can.