𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱 £𝟯𝟱𝗺 𝗕𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆’𝘀 𝗢𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝗯𝗯 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻! 🏟️
By 247sportcity| Tuesday, January 20, 2026
MANCHESTER – The ruthless evolution of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad is set to claim its next high-profile victim. As the January transfer window enters its final stretch, City academy graduate Oscar Bobb is reportedly on the verge of a sensational £35 million permanent move to Fulham, bringing an end to his tenure at the Etihad Stadium.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the two clubs are in advanced negotiations over a deal that would represent a significant profit for City and a statement of record-breaking ambition for the Cottagers. For Bobb, the move offers an escape route from a “congested” attacking rotation that has only become more crowded following City’s massive winter spending.
The Semenyo Effect: The Catalyst for Departure
The primary driver behind Bobb’s sudden availability is the blockbuster arrival of Antoine Semenyo. Manchester City shocked the league earlier this month by triggering a £62.5 million deal (potentially rising to £65m) to bring the Ghana international to the Etihad from Bournemouth.
Semenyo has hit the ground running, starting all three of City’s matches since his arrival and contributing a goal in their recent FA Cup win over Exeter. However, his presence has created a tactical logjam. With Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Rayan Cherki, Savinho, and now Semenyo all vying for minutes on the flanks, the path to the first team for Bobb has effectively been blocked.
From ‘Next Big Thing’ to the Bench: Bobb’s Difficult Year
Just 12 months ago, Oscar Bobb was being hailed as the natural successor to Riyad Mahrez. A standout 2023/24 campaign saw him score a dramatic late winner against Newcastle and cement himself as a fan favorite. However, a leg fracture sustained during the 2024 pre-season tour of the USA halted his momentum entirely.
While he fought back to fitness and made five starts earlier this season, he hasn’t featured in a Premier League matchday squad since November. Sources suggest the 22-year-old Norway international is no longer content with a “fringe” role and has personally requested the move to London to secure regular first-team football ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
[Table: The Manchester City Attacking Pecking Order (Jan 2026)]
| Player | Status | Primary Position | Minutes (Last 5 Games) |
| Erling Haaland | Key Starter | ST | 410 |
| Antoine Semenyo | New Signing | RW / LW | 270 |
| Phil Foden | Key Starter | AM / RW | 320 |
| Jeremy Doku | Rotation | LW | 185 |
| Rayan Cherki | Rotation | AM / RW | 145 |
| Savinho | Rotation | RW | 90 |
| Oscar Bobb | Available | RW / AM | 0 |
Fulham’s Record-Breaking Ambition
For Marco Silva’s Fulham, the pursuit of Bobb represents a massive financial commitment. If finalized at £35 million, Bobb would become the club’s record signing, eclipsing the £34.6 million paid for Brazilian winger Kevin last summer.
Despite a solid season that sees Fulham sitting 11th in the table, Silva has been vocal about the need for more “Premier League-ready creativity.” With Kevin still adapting to the English game, Bobb is seen as a low-risk, high-reward upgrade who can provide the service needed to keep Fulham in the hunt for a European spot.
“Oscar is an incredible talent,” Fabrizio Romano noted on X. “Fulham are pushing hard because they see him as the ‘X-factor’ for their second half of the season. Negotiations are progressing quickly.”
The Financials: Asset Management at its Best
From a Manchester City perspective, selling Bobb for £35 million is another masterclass in academy “asset management.”
- Investment: Bobb joined the City academy from Vålerenga in 2019 for a nominal fee.
- Return: A £35m sale would provide a pure-profit injection into City’s accounts, helping to offset the massive £62.5m outlay for Semenyo and the reported £20m deal for defender Marc Guéhi.
- The Clause: It is widely expected that City will insist on a buy-back clause or a significant sell-on percentage, a standard practice for the club when offloading elite academy graduates like Cole Palmer and Liam Delap.
Final Verdict: A Win-Win-Win?
This transfer appears to satisfy all parties. Manchester City balance their books and trim a bloated squad; Fulham secure a top-tier young international with Premier League experience; and Oscar Bobb finally gets the platform he deserves to re-establish himself as one of Europe’s most exciting wingers.
With Borussia Dortmund also reportedly lurking in the background, Fulham are keen to wrap up the deal before the weekend. If the medical is completed as expected, Bobb could make his debut as early as Saturday against Brighton.