Manchester City 'close to sealing new Oscar Bobb contract'

The 20-year-old joined the Citizens' academy in the summer of 2019 from Norwegian outfit Valerenga Fotball and has excelled at youth level for the club.

Bobb was rewarded with a promotion to Man City's first team ahead of the 2023-24 term, with the forward featuring in 52 minutes of top-flight football across four appearances so far.

The attacker has also received international recognition for his progression in Manchester, earning his maiden call-up for the Norway senior side in September, and he has since been handed four caps for his country.

According to 90min, Manchester City are closing in on a deal with Bobb and his representatives which would see the player agree to new terms at the Etihad.

The report claims that the fresh deal would be a reward for the Norway international after a notable start to the first-team campaign, in which he has featured both domestically and in the Champions League group stage.

It is understood that Bobb had a host of potential suitors during the summer transfer window, with Atalanta BC, Union Berlin and Lazio all interested in securing his services.

All three of those European clubs would have arguably offered the attacker a greater chance of regular first-team minutes than at the treble-winning Citizens, with Bundesliga side Union being able to provide the youngster with Champions League football.

However, any move away from Man City - either on a temporary or permanent basis - was blocked by head coach Pep Guardiola, who was keen to keep the 20-year-old within his ranks for the 2023-24 season.

Bobb's further emergence since the beginning of the term has reportedly peaked the interest of German giants Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.

The pathway from Man City to Dortmund for promising talent has been well-trodden in recent years, although the likes of Jadon Sancho and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens made their switches to Signal Iduna Park before first-team opportunities in Manchester.

Despite the increasing intrigue surrounding Bobb from around Europe, the Champions League holders are confident of being able to wrap up a new contract for the attacker soon.

The Norwegian has been forced to settle for a watching brief in City's last two matches, failing to come off the bench in games against Liverpool and RB Leipzig.

Bobb and his Man City teammates will be aiming to knock Mikel Arteta's Arsenal off top spot in the Premier League standings this weekend as they face Ange Postecoglou's injury-hit Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad.