In the last week, rumours of players potentially heading to the Stadium of Light in the summer have picked up.

Sunderland are interested in Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle, whilst young shot-stopper Lewis Ridd is on trial at the Academy of Light.

It comes ahead of a summer set to be a huge one for Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and Kristjaan Speakman.

The Black Cats have a handful of players looking set to move on in names like Jack Clarke and Anthony Patterson, though their potential departures will net Sunderland a lot of money.

Still, though, Speakman and Sunderland have their sights set on one player who could become a free agent.

Ross Stewart’s goals have never been properly replaced, at least not by an actual striker, and the arrivals of Mason Burstow, Nazariy Rusyn, and Luis Hemir last summer have proved ineffective.

But Speakman now has his sights set on a free swoop for West Ham striker Divin Mubama.

Reports, as relayed by Claret & Hugh, have revealed that the Black Cats have their eyes on Hammers contract rebel Mubama, 19, ahead of his contract expiry.

West Ham boss David Moyes has urged Mubama to sign a new deal on more than one occasion this season.

But Mubama, who was linked with Sunderland in January, looks increasingly likely to become a free agent.

The same report from Claret & Hugh adds that Sunderland and Speakman have a good relationship with West Ham following the 2023 transfer of Pierre Ekwah to Wearside.

Right now, Speakman in particular is a man under the spotlight.

He’s overseen transfers for just over three years now and whilst he’s definitely had some success in names like Clarke, Trai Hume, Dan Ballard and others, there’s been plenty of shortcomings.

This season’s signings have struggled and have highlighted a few flaws in the side; including a lack of experience and a lack of balance, with central midfield and attacking options light.

Mubama though could bolster the attacking department in the summer.

And whilst it’s another Speakman-like signing, given Mubama’s age and inexperience, his few outings in the Premier League and with England U20s could make him better-suited to Championship football than say, Hemir or Rusyn.

And he’s held in very high regards at West Ham, with Moyes previously describing him as a ‘top player’, and the club’s eagerness to keep him beyond this season should tell us all we need to know about Mubama.

Expect there to be a lot of interest in the Englishman, though.

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