Man City transfer news: Attacker ‘very unlikely to leave’ despite Pep Guardiola’s wish for a smaller squad

Manchester City attacker Oscar Bobb is set to stay at the Etihad Stadium this summer, according to a report.

The 22-year-old was one of the Citizens’ standout performers during last summer’s pre-season tour and was tipped to start in their opening Premier League game of last season before sustaining a serious injury.

Bobb suffered a fracture to a bone in his leg during a non-contact situation in training in August 2024 and had to wait until the beginning of April this year to make a welcome return to first-team action, after picking up a separate ankle problem during his recovery.

The Norway international then struggled with a hamstring issue in the closing stages of the 2024-25 campaign, but his injury woes now appear to be behind the versatile attacker who was selected in Guardiola’s Club World Cup squad earlier this summer.

Bobb features as a second-half substitute in City’s opening two group-stage matches at the tournament in the United States and he has since been building up his fitness in first-team training ahead of the new campaign.

Bobb set to remain at Man City as other players are tipped to leave

Man City’s players are currently in the middle of a four-week break following their last-16 exit from the Club World Cup, but speculation over the future of some first-team squad members is still rife.

Following the arrival of Savinho in 2024, the signing of Omar Marmoush in January and the addition of Rayan Cherki this summer to a Citizens squad also boasting the likes of Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku, some have questioned how Bobb will feature in Guardiola’s plans going forward.

Th Catalan coach was not comfortable with leaving several players out of his matchday squads during the latter stages of last season and has since publicly stated that he is keen to see his Man City squad trimmed to avoid having “sad” and “unhappy” players next season.

However, according to The Athletic, Bobb is ‘very unlikely’ to be leaving the Etihad Stadium this summer.

The likes of Jack Grealish, James McAtee and Kalvin Phillips are all thought to be the most likely to leave Man City at some stage this summer, while players including John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Claudio Echeverri (on loan) have also been tipped for a potential exit.

Bobb ‘expects’ to stay at Man City this summer

Last month, Bobb acknowledged that he endured “tough” spells during his recovery from injury, but he received “great support” from Man City and is planning to remain at the club for next season.

"It was tough at times," Bobb told reporters during the Club World Cup. "But the club offered great support and I was always thinking of coming back stronger, so it was all good.

"Once I started running again, kicking the ball, training with the team, I was even happier than I've been before. I feel very good and happy to be here, excited, it's great to be with the team again."

"I expect to be here (at Man City), Bobb added. "I think that's the way I have to look at it, try and impress every chance I get and just be ready. I want to play as much as possible, be decisive and play in the big games."

Bobb, who is under contract at the Etihad until June 2029, has made a total of 32 senior appearances for Man City since emerging from the club’s academy and making his debut in September 2023, recording three goals and three assists.

Written by
Oliver Thomas