Pardon the cliche, but Oscar Bobb will feel like a new signing next season for Manchester City.
The Norwegian wonderkid missed almost the entirety of last term after breaking his leg in training just before the 2024/25 Premier League campaign got underway, limiting him to three appearances – totalling 14 minutes – at the end of the season.
Now, however, Oscar Bobb is fit and ready to help Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, although he would presumably be happier if Manchester City found a way to sign Nicolo Barella after speaking to TV 2.
Oscar Bobb names Nicolo Barella as his dream Italian teammate
When the Norwegian outlet asked the Manchester City No.52 to name which Italian player he would bring to Norway – ahead of a FIFA World Cup qualifier between the two nations on Friday – he replied: “Oh, I’ve always loved Nicolo Barella.”
The Inter Milan No.23 is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in Europe, making 52 appearances – scoring three goals and providing eight assists – last season as he helped the Italian giants reach a second UEFA Champions League final in three seasons.
After the first of these two finals, the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in Istanbul back in 2023, Txiki Begiristain tried to sign Barella.
A story from the Daily Star in September even claimed that Manchester City again wanted to sign the £67m-rated Italy international in January after losing Rodri to injury, so he is seemingly an admired figure at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City are unlikely to sign Nicolo Barella
Unfortunately, the 28-year-old seems to be one of those players who is simply unobtainable, unless a seismic development occurs, and Hugo Viana appears to know that.
There have been no fresh rumours linking Manchester City to Barella, and based on current events, Guardiola does not appear to be waiting for such a moment.
Manchester City are close to signing Tijjani Reijnders to bolster the centre of midfield, while Rayan Cherki is also being targeted to improve the wide midfield areas, and the centre-attacking midfield department.
Having also signed Nico Gonzalez in February, it would be a shock if Manchester City tried to sign Barella this summer, unfortunately for Bobb.
