Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund in talks over Oscar Bobb transfer

FootballPlace’s reporting on Oscar Bobb’s future has been emphatically backed up by fresh developments, with Fabrizio Romano now confirming talks between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund over a potential deal for the Norwegian attacker.

On 26 December, FootballPlace published an article outlining growing confidence that Manchester City youngster Oscar Bobb could benefit from a move away from the Etihad Stadium, with Borussia Dortmund highlighted as an ideal destination.

Just four days later, Romano has reported that Dortmund and City are now in active discussions, describing the situation as “exclusively revealed last week” — a clear nod to the early signals around Bobb’s situation.

As outlined in FootballPlace’s original report, the catalyst for renewed debate around Bobb’s future has been City’s pursuit of Antoine Semenyo from AFC Bournemouth.

Romano has now added further clarity, stating that Bobb can leave Manchester City if and when Semenyo joins — with Dortmund not the only club monitoring the situation. That directly aligns with the suggestion that City’s attacking depth would tighten further, pushing fringe attackers closer to the exit.

Bobb has made nine Premier League appearances this season and 47 senior appearances overall for City, but his role has remained peripheral despite consistent praise for his technical quality.

FootballPlace’s December 26 article drew on Norwegian media insight, including comments from TV2 journalist Simen Stamsø-Møller, who strongly backed a Dortmund move as a “great solution” for Bobb’s development.

Borussia Dortmund’s track record of nurturing young attacking players — particularly those needing regular minutes and physical development — was cited as a key reason why the Bundesliga club stood out. That assessment now looks increasingly prescient as talks progress behind the scenes.

The Bundesliga’s intensity and trust in youth have often provided a fast track for players stuck between promise and prominence — a description that fits Bobb’s current situation under Pep Guardiola.

Romano’s update also confirms that Dortmund are not alone. Multiple clubs are said to be keen, suggesting that once City formally open the door, competition for Bobb’s signature could escalate quickly.

From City’s perspective, the logic remains clear. Bobb is an academy product, meaning any transfer fee would be booked as pure profit — potentially helping offset the cost of incoming deals such as Semenyo. From the player’s point of view, regular football at a top European club could accelerate his development at both club and international level with Norway.

What has changed in the space of four days is not the logic — but the substance. What was framed as a strong possibility on 26 December is now a live negotiation, publicly acknowledged by the most reliable voice in the transfer market.

January is shaping up to be pivotal. If City complete a deal for Semenyo, Bobb’s pathway narrows further — and the likelihood of a move increases sharply. Whether that exit takes the form of a permanent transfer or a structured loan will depend on negotiations in the coming days, but Dortmund’s involvement now appears concrete rather than theoretical.

With talks now confirmed, should Manchester City let Oscar Bobb go — or fight to keep hold of one of their most gifted academy graduates?