Exclusive: Ipswich Town told to beat Stoke City to “powerful” striker – they’re “desperate”

Lee Hendrie has issued his thoughts regarding the transfer battle between Stoke City and Ipswich Town, with both clubs interested in a move for Manchester City’s young striker, Divin Mubama.

Stoke are preparing for their first full season under the management of Mark Robins, with the former Coventry City boss eventually guiding the Staffordshire outfit to safety in the Championship after yet another underwhelming campaign, as he looks to finally be the man to progress the club forward after years of stagnation.

Meanwhile, Kieran McKenna’s side are expected to be among the front-runners for an immediate return to the Premier League alongside the fellow newly relegated duo of Leicester City and Southampton, despite the fact the Tractor Boys saw their prized asset from last season—Liam Delap—move to Chelsea for £30m following the activation of a relegation release clause.

Both clubs have actively been linked with a whole host of potential options to boost their attacking departments ahead of the season’s opening weekend in six weeks’ time, with Hendrie seeing exactly why Mubama fits the bill for McKenna and Robins.

Lee Hendrie issues Liam Delap factors in as Ipswich Town face Stoke City in a battle for Divin Mubama

Town’s interest was first registered by the highly reputable transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, at the end of last month, with the Italian stating that the East Anglian side had lodged an inquiry regarding the potential signing of Mubama.

Romano’s report also stated that Pep Guardiola’s outfit values the 20-year-old in the region of £10m after his £2m move from West Ham United last summer, with Ligue 1 giants Lille also interested in a move.

It has since been claimed by Fraser Fletcher that there is “a real possibility” that the England Under-20 international moves to the Bet365 Stadium on loan this summer, with Stoke also said to be fronting the queue to sign Everton’s Youssef Chermiti on a temporary basis.

Giving his exclusive verdict on the potential transfer saga to Football League World, Hendrie began, “Stoke are looking to take the loan move of young (Man) City striker Mubama.

“I know that Ipswich wants him as well. And they’re desperate, obviously, to get the deal done with Liam Delap leaving the club,” he explained.

“At 20 years of age, you’ve seen and heard what he’s been doing for the Under-21s, scoring goals.

“He’s a powerful young man, very direct, can link the play up, and, obviously, has been around the likes of West Ham before moving to Man City.

“There’s obviously lots there to be liked,” the former Aston Villa midfielder stated. “We’re seeing a lot more young players develop quicker, getting opportunities and going out to Championship clubs where they’re really making a name for themselves.

“This would be a great signing for Stoke City, but it also would be for Ipswich, you feel, if they can get the best and the potential out of such a powerful young man,” the Sky Sports pundit continued.

“That interest from Stoke means a push from Ipswich might be firmer with them losing Delap.

“He’s going to end up at a Championship club, no doubt about that. It’s just when and where it’s going to happen,” Hendrie concluded.

Divin Mubama would benefit massively with move to Stoke City or Ipswich Town

As Hendrie alluded to, Mubama would likely be encouraged by the number of high-profile strikers in the Premier League and continent who have benefitted from moves into the EFL on loan or permanently and could follow suit.

His record of 26 goals in 39 Premier League 2 appearances showcases a real hunger to eventually prove his worth in senior football, having also scored for Man City against Salford City in the FA Cup Third Round back in January.

However, playing week-in, week-out in a highly demanding league is a different beast altogether, meaning it could be a risk worth taking for McKenna if they were to part with such a hefty fee, or Stoke’s approach could benefit all involved, as he could take the division by storm and return to the Etihad Stadium higher up the pecking order.