Report: Crystal Palace are in the race to sign Man City forward | OneFootball

Premier League Rivals Circle as Man City Consider Oscar Bobb Future

Fulham and Crystal Palace are emerging as serious contenders for Manchester City forward Oscar Bobb ahead of the January transfer window, according to an exclusive report from talkSPORT. The developing situation hinges on whether City activate a release clause for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo, a move that could open the door for Bobb to depart the Etihad on loan or permanently.

Bobb, 22, has long been viewed as one of City’s most intriguing attacking prospects. Since making his debut in September 2023, the Norwegian has delivered “three goals and four assists for Manchester City” and has accumulated 47 senior appearances. The original article emphasises that “Bobb and City had hoped the appearance figure would have been much higher, but an unfortunate injury on the eve of the 2024/25 campaign ruined those plans.” The fractured leg sustained before the 2024/25 season sidelined him until April, when he returned from the bench in a 2-0 win over Leicester City.

That injury context matters now more than ever. With “game time paramount ahead of Norway’s berth at the 2026 World Cup,” Bobb faces a pivotal career moment. talkSPORT’s piece frames the stakes clearly: “Bobb may be forced to look elsewhere to ensure he is fit and firing ahead of next year’s tournament.” That World Cup incentive adds urgency, especially for clubs like Palace, who are actively hunting attacking reinforcements.

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Fulham and Palace Interest

The Premier League pair are “keeping tabs on Manchester City talent Oscar Bobb should he be allowed to leave in January,” but face competition from abroad, most notably Sevilla. City would only sanction Bobb’s exit if they complete the signing of Semenyo, who “favours a move to City, who has a release clause between £60-65million.” Crucially, “the release clause must be triggered in the first ten days of the January transfer window.”

City’s recruitment plans, therefore, operate under tight timing and clear financial parameters. The £60-65m clause, which must be activated early in the window, could accelerate City’s squad reshaping. Should Semenyo arrive, Bobb “could be allowed to leave City on loan or permanently,” ending his six year stay in Manchester, having joined from Valerenga in July 2019.

Palace January Priorities

For Crystal Palace, interest in Bobb “remains in line with Oliver Glasner’s wishes to add more attacking firepower to his squad.” talkSPORT notes that Palace’s primary target remains Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson, but “the Wales international’s £50m price tag may prove to be a stumbling block for Palace.” Johnson, under contract until 2028, has made 21 appearances this season, 10 of which were starts, while Tottenham “would be willing to sell should they receive a suitable offer.”

That contrast between Johnson’s price tag and Bobb’s potential availability could shift priorities. Bobb’s profile, youthful versatility, international ambition, and a point to prove after injury, fits Palace’s strategic direction, adding depth either side of a central forward, while offering future resale value should the move be permanent.

Fulham Transfer Lessons

Fulham, meanwhile, want to avoid a repeat of their summer scramble. Marco Silva’s November comments, quoted directly, underline the alignment at Craven Cottage:

“Let’s see what we can do in the market, because it will be important to act in the window.“As I mentioned, we are preparing in the present. We have been speaking every single day. Myself, with the CEO of the club, it is clear.”

Silva’s message suggests a club keen to act early, with attacking additions high on the agenda. Bobb’s potential availability, conditional on City’s clause activation for Semenyo, could appeal to Fulham’s desire for proactive business.

Manchester City, for their part, will balance development with squad economics. Bobb is clearly valued, but January could provide a rare window where the player’s ambition aligns with the club’s transfer contingencies. If Semenyo’s clause is activated, Fulham, Palace, and Sevilla may all accelerate their pursuit of a forward eager to rediscover momentum ahead of a defining World Cup year.

Our View, EPL Index Analysis

For a Crystal Palace supporter, this update stirs cautious optimism. Bobb is precisely the kind of player fans want the club to gamble on, young, hungry, technical, and with international pedigree. The original article reminds us that he “came off the bench in a 2-0 win over Leicester City” on his long awaited injury return, a moment that hinted at resilience and promise. His contribution of “three goals and four assists for Manchester City since making his debut” may not leap off the page like a 15+ goal breakout season, but for Palace, it signals potential, not the finished product. That matters in South London, where upside buys are celebrated.

What stands out most is intent. Oliver Glasner “wishes to add more attacking firepower” and Palace’s interest in Brennan Johnson proves ambition, but the £50m fee looks unrealistic. Bobb becoming attainable because of Semenyo’s “release clause between £60-65million,” one that “must be triggered in the first ten days of the January transfer window,” feels like opportunity knocking at just the right moment. If City move fast, so should Palace.

Fans will note Bobb has “started nine games across all competitions” this season, but only delivered “one assist” in a 4-0 opener vs Wolves. That’s a modest output, but context is everything. A fractured leg, disrupted momentum, and fierce competition at the Etihad would flatten almost any 22 year old’s numbers. At Palace, he would not face that same logjam. Instead, he’d walk into a squad crying out for creativity, rotation, and flair between the lines.