Fulham completed a significant move this week, bringing Oscar Bobb to Craven Cottage from Man City for a reported £27 million fee. The 22-year-old Norway international winger signed a five-and-a-half-year deal on Friday, January 30, 2026, keeping him in West London until summer 2031.
It’s a big statement for Fulham and a classic piece of business for City, who seem to have a clear strategy for their young talents. This transfer showcases the tough reality for promising players trying to break into Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad.
The Deal and Fulham’s Ambition
The £27 million price tag for Bobb shows Fulham’s intent. They’ve been looking for wide players, especially after Adama Traoré moved to West Ham, and with Harry Wilson possibly heading out in the summer.
Bobb will wear the number 14 shirt, and the club’s announcement expressed “joy” at getting him, notingthat other European clubs were interested.
This isn’t just a hopeful punt; it’s a calculated investment. The deal also includes a 20% sell-on clause for Man City and matching rights if Fulham decides to move him on later, so City keeps a stake in his future value, as Goal.com reported.
Sky Sports had broken the news exclusively a couple of days earlier, on Wednesday, January 28, that a deal had been agreed.
Bobb had his medical on Thursday, and by Friday, it was all finalized at 12:41 UK time. The whole thing moved quickly once Traoré left, and Fulham wasted no time securing their man for the rest of the season and beyond. It gives Marco Silva options out wide now.
Bobb’s Rocky Road at City
Oscar Bobb came to Manchester City from Vålerenga way back in 2019. He looked like a real prospect coming through their academy system.
And he did break into the first team in the 2023-24 season, showing flashes of what he could do. But then, pre-season 2024 hit him hard.
A broken leg meant he missed the entire 2024-25 campaign. That’s a long time out for a young player trying to establish himself at the highest level.
He returned for the 2025-26 season, making 15 appearances for City across different competitions. Not bad numbers for a squad player, but not enough to cement a regular spot. And his injury troubles popped up again.
His last game for City was on December 17, 2025, in a Carabao Cup match against Brentford. He started, but had to come off injured within 20 minutes.
It seems those injuries, and perhaps some dips in form, caused him to slip down Pep Guardiola’s pecking order, as Sky Sports mentioned. Pep himself seemed to confirm Bobb’s desire to leave last week, saying, “I think so,” when asked if he wanted out.
It’s tough for these young players at City. You can be good, help your country qualify for the World Cup like Bobb did with Norway, but the competition is just something else.
Think Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, Savinho — these are the players you’re up against for minutes on the wing. The path to regular first-team football there is incredibly difficult for anyone not a superstar, especially with so many top-tier options available to Guardiola.
City’s Smart Business, Fulham’s Calculated Risk
This transfer fits Manchester City’s strategy perfectly. They’re known for selling homegrown or academy talent to fund their squad and keep it lean for title challenges.
We’ve seen it with players like Cole Palmer and Liam Delap before. It’s smart business, extracting maximum value from players who might not get enough game time at the Etihad but have high potential elsewhere.
£27 million for a player who’s had injury setbacks and isn’t a first-team regular is good money, anyway you slice it. It helps trim the squad and balances the books for future moves.
For Fulham, it’s a calculated gamble, but one that could pay off big. They need that width, and Bobb, when fit, offers skill and pace that can trouble Premier League defenses. But his recent injury record is a concern.
The last time he played a full game was a while ago, and that Carabao Cup injury wasn’t great. They’re hoping he can get back to full fitness and deliver on the promise he showed at City. This move makes him Fulham’s key incoming in the January 2026 window, and a lot hinges on Bobb staying on the pitch.
OneFootball confirmed the deal quickly today. This could be a defining move for Fulham’s season and Bobb’s career trajectory. He’s got a chance to be a main man now, which he wasn’t going to be at City, not with that kind of competition. It’s a chance for him to kickstart his career properly.
Ishaan Singh 
Priyanjan Paul