Fulham are on the verge of completing a move for Manchester City starlet Oscar Bobb.
According to reports, the West London club has made significant progress in negotiations with the Premier League champions.
The 22-year-old Norwegian international is expected to cost Fulham a fee in the region of £30million.
Personal Terms Ready as Bobb Eyes Exit
The move comes after Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted over the weekend that he believes Bobb wishes to leave the Etihad Stadium in search of regular first-team football.
Despite his immense promise, Bobb has struggled for consistent minutes this season, starting just five Premier League matches.
He also saw his pathway further blocked by the arrival of £65m signing Antoine Semenyo.
Personal terms are understood to be ready for Bobb to sign, with a long-term contract at Craven Cottage awaiting the winger once a formal club-to-club agreement is reached.
A medical is expected to be scheduled shortly as Fulham race against the January 31 deadline.
The Adama Traore Domino Effect
Fulham’s pursuit of Bobb is intrinsically linked to the departure of Adama Traore with West Ham’s transfer spree set to continue.
The Spanish winger is reportedly “inches away” from a move to West Ham United, where he will reunite with former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
With Traore heading to the London Stadium for a modest fee in their battle against relegation, Marco Silva has identified Bobb as the ideal replacement.
Unlike the explosive, physical style of Traore, Bobb offers a more technical, incisive profile that Silva believes will better suit Fulham’s tactical evolution in the second half of the season.
A Risk for the Cottagers?
While the potential of Oscar Bobb is undeniable, the move is not without its risks.
The winger has spent the last month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and hasn’t featured in a competitive league match since November.
Some sections of the Fulham faithful have voiced concerns over the club’s “recovery centre” approach this window, with long-term target Ricardo Pepi also currently recovering from a broken arm.
However, Silva appears willing to wait for the Norwegian to return to full fitness to lead Fulham’s charge up the table.
