In a significant late-January transfer move, Fulham Football Club have reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign Norwegian international winger Oscar Bobb for a fee of £27 million.
The deal, confirmed by multiple sources and publicly acknowledged by City manager Pep Guardiola, will see the 22-year-old attacker depart the Etihad Stadium for Craven Cottage as he seeks more consistent playing time.
The transfer advanced rapidly after Fulham initiated talks with the Premier League champions. While the clubs have settled on the base fee, the agreement includes significant protective measures for Manchester City.
Well-placed sources confirm the Premier League champions have negotiated a 20% sell-on clause, entitling them to a portion of any future transfer fee Fulham might receive for Bobb.
Furthermore, City have secured matching rights, giving them the option to match any future bid accepted by Fulham for the player, a mechanism they previously used to re-acquire goalkeeper James Trafford.
Bobb’s path to an exit became clear following Manchester City’s £64 million acquisition of winger Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth earlier in the January window. The new signing further crowded City’s attacking options, leaving Bobb, who has made 15 appearances this season without scoring, on the fringes of the squad.
His situation was addressed directly by Pep Guardiola following City’s weekend victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. “I know there are rumours, I know there are talks,” Guardiola told reporters. When asked explicitly if the player wished to leave, the manager responded, “I think so”.
The young winger has faced challenging circumstances in recent months. His last appearance came on December 17 in the Carabao Cup against Brentford, where he was forced off with a muscle injury within the first 20 minutes.
This setback followed a more severe injury in August 2024, a fractured leg sustained in training, that caused him to miss nearly the entirety of last season. He was also absent from City’s recent Champions League squad, listed among the injured players.
For Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, the signing represents a major investment in a promising young talent to bolster their attacking options. The Cottagers are enjoying a strong season, sitting seventh in the Premier League after losing just one of their last seven matches.
Bobb will join his Norwegian international teammate Sander Berge at the club, which should aid his integration. Fulham’s ambition is further demonstrated by their concurrent £28 million bid for PSV Eindhoven forward Ricardo Pepi.
Interest in Bobb was not exclusive to Fulham, with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund also credited with an interest, and Tottenham Hotspur mentioned as a late potential suitor. However, Fulham moved decisively to secure the deal.
The transfer is anticipated to be a permanent move, aligning with Manchester City’s reported preference for a straight sale rather than a loan arrangement.
Completion of the transfer is subject to the player agreeing personal terms and passing a medical examination.
With the January transfer window closing imminently, both clubs will aim to finalize the paperwork promptly, marking a fresh start for Oscar Bobb in West London and a significant statement of intent from a thriving Fulham side.