By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
Claret & Hugh have been informed today that West Ham are “less likely to sign Divine Mukasa permanently” if Manchester City are kicked out of the Premier League.
It is an extraordinary twist because, when news of City’s guilty verdict broke before the weekend, I wondered whether their problems might actually improve West Ham’s chances of keeping Mukasa.
However, having spoken to a well-known football agent today, we’ve been told the opposite could be true.
Manchester City case moves towards appeal
Manchester City were originally charged with 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, with reports last week claiming that an independent tribunal found 114 of those charges proven.
City continue to deny wrongdoing and maintain their innocence, while Sky Sports reported this morning that the process is now moving towards the appeal stage and could potentially drag on for years.
No punishment has yet been announced publicly, but the potential sanctions are significant. They can include a points deduction or even expulsion from the Premier League, although precisely what punishment City will receive – and whether it survives the appeal process – remains unknown.
Unsurprisingly, rival clubs will be watching developments extremely closely.
When the news first broke, I speculated that City’s weakened position could potentially leave West Ham with a better opportunity to sign Mukasa permanently.
Today we’ve been told that the opposite may well be true.
West Ham’s chances of keeping Mukasa might be harmed by the charges against Manchester City
City relegation could scupper West Ham’s Mukasa hopes
A well-known football agent told Claret & Hugh that if Manchester City were relegated or expelled from the Premier League, the resulting upheaval could make West Ham “less likely to sign Divine Mukasa permanently”.
The logic is actually pretty straightforward.
Such a punishment could potentially result in City losing some of their superstar players. In that scenario, somebody like Mukasa – who by then could have an entire season of Championship football under his belt with West Ham – suddenly becomes exactly the sort of young player City might want back at the Etihad rather than somebody they would be prepared to sell.
So rather than Manchester City’s problems presenting West Ham with an opportunity, they could end up costing us the chance to sign Mukasa permanently.
And his stock continues to rise.
The former West Ham Academy youngster, who left the Hammers for Manchester City, has today been promoted to Lee Carsley’s England Under-21 squad after making his U20 debut against Italy on Friday.
I think it’s too early to assume he is less likely to move. For example if City were banished to the fourth tier and West Ham are promoted his agent would be very keen to strike a deal. If Man City just get a financial slap on the wrists (highly unlikely) then nothing changes, they absorb the hit and all their stars stay, pushing Mukasa further down the pecking order. Let’s not get too despondent yet.