Derby County in advanced talks to sign Manchester City striker on loan | OneFootball

Manchester City are currently in talks with Derby County over a potential developmental pathway for one of their most highly-rated strikers.

A major catalyst for a specific alignment concerning Divin Mubama is likely the strategic appointment of now-former Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad (EDS) manager Ben Wilkinson as Derby County assistant coach.

Wilkinson’s decade-long experience as a key developer within the City Football Academy infrastructure provides Manchester City executives with an unprecedented level of trust regarding potential loanees.

The Derby hierarchy are likely to hold ambition when it comes to the 2026/27 Championship season after narrowly missing out on a play-off position last campaign, seeking robust reinforcement across positions this summer.

Derby County close in on Man City striker

Now, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke, Championship side Derby County are in currently in ‘advanced talks’ to sign highly-rated Manchester City striker Divin Mubama on loan for the forthcoming season.

If ratified, Mubama would become the latest elite striker product to utilise Pride Park and the English second-tier for career acceleration, mirroring early career trajectories of players like Harry Kane and Tammy Abraham at that level.

How a move could benefit Manchester City

From Manchester City, this arrangement would certainly maximise asset value through guaranteed game-time.

By integrating Divin Mubama into Wilkinson and Jon Eustace’s systems, Maresca and staff within the Etihad Stadium will likely receive direct data from the Championship club, enabling future planning and next steps.

With personal terms unlikely to be an issue, it remains to be seen whether Mubama and his representatives will continue to weigh up rival proposals from within the game, or whether they choose to lean upon Derby for the new season.