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Oscar Bobb looks likely to leave Manchester City during the January window with Pep Guardiola's side close to signing Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth
Oscar Bobb looks set to depart Manchester City in the January transfer window - but an exit might not mark the end of his Etihad career.
The winger has struggled for minutes this season and is currently sidelined by an injury sustained in the Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Brentford. The 21-year-old has a plethora of clubs keen on his services when the winter window opens with Borussia Dortmund leading the race.
The imminent arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth will further increase the competition for places in the attacking areas and likely necessitate a City exit in January. Bobb is the most likely casualty despite speculation linking Savinho and Omar Marmoush with departures.
City are prepared to sanction an exit for Bobb and whether it is an initial loan switch with a permanent obligation, or a straight sale, the Blues are likely to include a buy-back clause in any deal. City often insert such clauses into sales of young players and while they are rarely activated, the arrival of James Trafford this summer showed there is a pathway back to the Etihad, even if that move has not worked out for the goalkeeper.
The arrival of Semenyo and likely departure of Bobb was discussed on the latest edition of the Talking City podcast and Chief City writer Simon Bajkowski outlined the view that Bobb could return to the Etihad in the future as a first team star.
"Oscar Bobb is such an exciting talent and has got so much potential, but he has stalled since his really bad injury last season and has not been able to make the most of his opportunities," said Bajkowski, speaking on the Talking City podcast.
"And there is a lot of interest in him. I think he'll go, probably on loan but maybe with a permanent aspect to it for the end of the season.
"Oscar Bobb is someone who I could completely see coming back to City in a few years if he has developed as he can develop but at the moment it is not really working and if you want three or four options out wide you have Doku, Cherki or Foden, Semenyo. The hallmark of Guardiola squads has been versatility and really tough competition for places."
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