Fulham Lead Race For Oscar Bobb In £35 Million Transfer Saga

Fulham have made a bold move in the January transfer window, entering advanced negotiations with Manchester City to secure the permanent signing of Norwegian winger Oscar Bobb. The West London club has tabled a proposal worth around £35 million, aiming to beat a host of Premier League and European rivals to the highly-rated 22-year-old’s signature. As talks intensify, the transfer saga surrounding Bobb is rapidly becoming one of the most closely watched stories of the window.

Oscar Bobb’s situation at Manchester City has been the subject of growing speculation throughout January. Once tipped as one of City’s most exciting prospects after joining from Vålerenga in 2019, Bobb’s path to regular first-team action has become increasingly congested. Injuries and new arrivals have played a significant role in this turn. After a standout pre-season, Bobb’s momentum was derailed by a leg bone fracture in the opening week of the 2024/25 campaign. More recently, a hamstring injury forced him off during the Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Brentford in December, causing him to miss the last eight matches. His absence was keenly felt, especially as City struggled with a mounting injury crisis across the squad.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has kept his cards close to his chest regarding Bobb’s future. When asked about the winger’s fitness ahead of a crucial Champions League tie against Bodø/Glimt, Guardiola remarked, “He says he’s not fit, so he’s not fit.” The brevity of the response hinted at a sense of frustration, both with Bobb’s ongoing injury woes and the uncertainty surrounding his role at the club. Guardiola’s comments, relayed by the Manchester Evening News, further fueled speculation that Bobb’s days at the Etihad might be numbered.

The January arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for a reported £62.5 million has further limited Bobb’s opportunities. Semenyo’s signing, coupled with Manchester City’s record-breaking £82.5 million outlay this window (including defender Marc Guehi), has shifted the focus to squad evolution and asset management. With competition for attacking spots fiercer than ever, City have indicated an openness to offers for Bobb, viewing a permanent deal as a means to balance the books and facilitate further squad development.

Fulham’s pursuit of Bobb is as much a statement of intent as it is a calculated footballing decision. The club’s willingness to place £35 million on the table is unprecedented in recent history and signals a new era of ambition at Craven Cottage. As reported by transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Fulham’s direct engagement with City and their clear valuation of Bobb mark a departure from the club’s more conservative transfer strategies of the past. Fans and pundits alike see this as a sign that Fulham are no longer content to operate on the margins—they want to compete for top talent and establish themselves as a force in the Premier League.

For Bobb, a move to Fulham could offer the regular minutes and responsibility that have eluded him at City. The Norwegian international has made 15 appearances for City this season, including just five league starts, and has scored once in 26 Premier League outings to date. Despite his limited opportunities, Bobb’s versatility—capable of playing on either wing or through the middle—makes him an attractive proposition for Fulham manager Marco Silva. With Adama Traore linked with a move to West Ham and uncertainty over Harry Wilson’s future, Bobb’s arrival would inject much-needed creativity and depth into Fulham’s attack.

The competition for Bobb’s signature has been fierce. Borussia Dortmund have maintained a keen interest since December and are reportedly weighing up a formal bid. Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur were also linked ahead of the window but have yet to act decisively, leaving Fulham in pole position. According to David Ornstein, clubs in Germany and Portugal are monitoring the situation, but Fulham’s early and assertive approach may prove decisive.

City’s stance is clear: they are open to a sale if the right offer arrives, with a fee in the region of £30-35 million thought to be sufficient. The proposed deal represents a major endorsement of Bobb’s value in the market and reflects City’s broader transfer strategy. By allowing Bobb to leave, City can recoup some of their January spending while ensuring their squad remains balanced and competitive.

Bobb’s journey at Manchester City has been a mix of promise and frustration. Since his arrival from Vålerenga, he has shown flashes of brilliance but has struggled for consistent minutes, especially as the club’s attacking options have grown deeper. His injury record has not helped matters, and the timing of his setbacks—most recently in the Carabao Cup—has often coincided with opportunities to stake a claim for a regular role.

Despite these challenges, Bobb has drawn praise from Guardiola in the past. After a standout performance against Brentford earlier in the season, Guardiola said, “Oscar defensively is a machine, he helped us a lot and in the final third. His one-v-one is really good and he made good decisions. I’m really pleased he played good. I will encourage him to be more incisive and when he goes one on one, two v two, he can create really big situations. He made an incredible pass to Phil which was a clear chance on the penalty spot that he should have got on target. In general, he was really, really good in that 1st half and defensively, offensively - in all aspects and he is a player we trust a lot.”

For Fulham supporters, the prospect of landing a player of Bobb’s pedigree is tantalizing. It’s not just about the transfer fee or beating rivals like Dortmund, Palace, and Spurs to his signature—it’s about signaling that Fulham are ready to compete for the brightest young talents in Europe. The move would also offer Bobb the chance to become a focal point rather than a rotation option, an opportunity to re-establish momentum and showcase the talent that once made him the talk of City’s academy.

As negotiations continue, all eyes are on Craven Cottage and the Etihad. Will Fulham’s ambition and early action pay off, or could Dortmund or another suitor swoop in at the last minute? One thing’s for sure: the Oscar Bobb transfer saga is far from over, and its outcome could shape the rest of Fulham’s season—and perhaps Bobb’s career trajectory—for years to come.

With the transfer window still open and no official confirmation yet, Fulham fans will be watching anxiously, hoping that the club’s bold approach delivers a marquee signing to ignite their campaign and send a message to the rest of the Premier League.