Stefan Borson rates West Ham's chances of permanent Divine Mukasa signing amid Man City twist

West Ham United will struggle to sign Divine Mukasa permanently if Manchester City are relegated to the Championship.

That is according to former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that the 19-year-old midfielder will be needed back at the Etihad Stadium.

Mukasa has made a serious impression since signing for the Hammers on loan, starting six of their eight Championship matches so far.

With two goals, both coming against Wolves, the City youngster, who they signed from West Ham in 2023, has helped them to the top spot in the second division.

While Nuno Espirito Santo's side do not hold any buy option, it has been rumoured that the Hammers could take advantage of the 114 charges that Man City are currently facing.

Mukasa has made just six first-team appearances for the Citizens, but that is likely to increase should the worst-case scenario emerge at the Etihad.

Divine Mubama would be needed back at Man City

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson has predicted Mukasa to be utilised as a senior player next season if Man City are punished with relegation.

"Ironically, these sorts of players that City are going to be calling on, you would think, will be the academy players," he said.

"So I would think that the very big players, in the event of relegation, will go, and Man City will have to form a squad that mixes the players that remain and the best prospects they have from the academy.

"And a lot of those are the players who are going to be the ones that are out on loan right now, the ones that are on the fringes of the squad."

Alongside him are the likes of Jaden Heskey, Jeremy Monga, Max Alleyne and Divin Mubama, all of whom are on loan in the Championship.

Which players are likely to leave Man City first?

Borson believes that it is the bigger players that will leave before any of the youngsters do, suggesting that the situation would be far better for the latter.

He said: "The opportunities for other clubs are probably more going to be on the bigger players. There's going to be big supply. And there's just limited demand. There's just not that much money around."

Erling Haaland, Enzo Fernandez, Marc Guehi and Rayan Cherki would all have potential suitors, but the price tags would have to plummet.

Supporters would hope that players such as Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Ryan McAidoo stay, but anything could happen at this point.