Manchester City 'turned down summer loan bids for Oscar Bobb'

The 20-year-old has been promoted to Pep Guardiola's first-team squad this season following an excellent 2022-23 campaign with the club's Under-21s side.

Versatile attacker Bobb contributed with six goals and 16 assists in 25 Premier League 2 appearances last season to help the Citizens win their third successive youth title.

Since joining Man City's academy in 2019, Bobb has made over 110 appearances from Under-18 to Under-21 level, scoring 31 goals and registering 33 assists in all youth competitions.

Bobb is considered as one of the next rising stars to emerge from the Citizens' academy and has made three first-team appearances so far this season.

After making his Premier League debut as a late substitute against Fulham before the international break, Bobb made another late substitute outing in the 3-1 win at West Ham United last weekend.

The Norway Under-21 international then made his Champions League debut for Man City in Tuesday's 3-1 victory at home against Red Star Belgrade, coming on as an 83rd-minute substitute.

Before being integrated into Guardiola's senior set-up, Bobb was understood to have attracted interest from a number of European clubs during the summer transfer window.

According to The Telegraph, Man City rejected multiple loan enquiries for Bobb, with both Ajax and Porto among the clubs that failed in their pursuit of the youngster.

Both Ajax and Porto, who are competing in the Europa League and Champions League group stage respectively this season, were both said to be willing to include Bobb in their senior squads for the 2023-24 campaign.

However, the report adds that Guardiola wanted the Oslo-born attacker to be part of his first-team squad this season rather than experience a year out on loan.

Speaking to mancity.com after making his Champions League debut on Tuesday, Bobb said: "I'm very pleased to make my debut - to come into such a good team, I'm very grateful. Great win and we're all very happy and it's a great start to the new campaign."

Bobb is hoping to gain more first-team minutes this season and is excited to compete with the likes of Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and summer signing Jeremy Doku for places in the starting lineup.

"Coming into the environment which is the best in the world drives me and them still being humble is great," Bobb added.

"Jack [Grealish] - with what he's doing for the club in the past couple of seasons, Jeremy [Doku] - for what he did in France and Phil [Foden] - he's been one of the best young players in the world for the past three or four years so it's big footsteps to follow but it's a big motivation."

Bobb is expected to be named in the matchday squad when Premier League leaders Man City welcome Nottingham Forest to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.