Fabrizio Romano details late Manchester City transfer strategy shift as three replacements for Oscar Bobb named

Manchester City are set to enter the transfer market following Oscar Bobb’s devastating injury blow.

The 21-year-old is set to undergo surgery in Barcelona after suffering a fractured leg during a first-team training session at the City Football Academy, sidelining the Norwegian international for a number of months.

Bobb, who had starred during pre-season and the FA Community Shield win over Manchester United at Wembley Stadium last weekend, had been set to play a regular role for Pep Guardiola during the 2024/25 campaign.

The forward played 26 times for Manchester City last season, and scored a vital last-gasp winner against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in January, boosting the Blues’ Premier League title chances.

Bobb’s shock injury has further disrupted Manchester City’s plans ahead of the start of the new season this week, after the Sky Blues sanctioned the club-record sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid.

Manchester City begin their Premier League title defence away to Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, although the Blues’ first-team squad could be subject to new additions before the close of the transfer window.

Guardiola has previously revealed plans to bolster the Blues’ attacking and midfield options during the remaining weeks of the window, with Manchester City ‘proceeding’ with plans to enter the market following Bobb’s injury, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Romano reports that internal discussions are taking place between Etihad bosses to identify a favoured option, with previous transfer targets Dani Olmo and Pedro Neto having recently moved elsewhere.

Jack Gaughan reports that Manchester City bosses are ‘deliberating their next moves in the market’, but are ‘mindful’ that Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Savinho are all options in that area of the pitch.

Manchester City have sanctioned the exit of Kalvin Phillips despite a lack of movement in the market, after Ipswich Town agreed to sign the 28-year-old midfielder on a season-long loan.