Pep Guardiola says Oscar Bobb is desperate to leave Manchester City.
Bobb joined City as a 16-year-old and although he made 47 appearances for the first team, his playing time on the pitch was limited.
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This season, the Norwegian winger has only played five Premier League games, despite missing the last seven league games with a hamstring injury.
But the signing of Antoine Semenyo this month will make Bobb’s chances of becoming a regular even slimmer and a move away from City could be on the cards.
Guardiola could not say whether that would happen this month, but was open about the player’s desire to leave the Etihad Stadium.
Asked about Bobb’s future at the club after City’s 2-0 win over Wolves last weekend, Guardiola said: “I don’t know yet. I know there are rumours, I know there are talks but I don’t know at the moment.”
And when asked if Bobb wanted to leave, Guardiola replied before leaving the press conference: “I think so.”
Who wants Bobb?
The Pitch Prospect understands Bobb has held talks with Fulham about a possible permanent move to west London.
Crystal Palace are also said to be interested in the 22-year-old, but if he were to move to Selhurst Park it would be on loan.
Bobb also has interest from clubs in Europe, including Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla, who admire him.
He is contracted to City until the summer of 2029 and is expected to receive a significant transfer fee despite his relative inexperience.
As previously mentioned, the £62.5 million takeover of Semenyo is expected to pave the way for Bobb to move on to new challenges.
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Bobb joined City in the summer of 2019 as a 16-year-old from his native Valerenga.
He made his first appearance for City in September 2023, incidentally during a Premier League duel against Fulham, where he could travel this month.
The 16-time Norway international has scored three goals in 47 appearances for City. Most notably, he showed great skill and composure to give them a late 3-2 win at Newcastle in January 2024, en route to City’s fourth consecutive Premier League title.
Bobb has yet to find success in nine appearances this season.
City had a good weekend, securing a 2-0 home win over Wolves thanks to goals from Omar Marmoush and Semenyo.
The gap between them and Premier League leaders Arsenal narrowed to four points as the Gunners suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Manchester United at the weekend.
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City’s next league game takes them to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after they conclude their Champions League league phase with a home game against Galatasaray on Wednesday.