🗣️ “I really hope we do this.” 🗣️ “lCity are not stupid.” Man City fans are all saying the same thing after Oscar Bobb to Borussia Dortmund update emerged on social media.

Manchester City supporters are already bracing themselves for another emotional January, and this time the focus is firmly on Oscar Bobb. As the transfer window edges open, the noise around the Norwegian winger has grown louder, and the latest updates suggest that his time in the Premier League may soon be coming to an end. Borussia Dortmund are leading the race for his signature, and while many City fans have accepted that an exit now feels inevitable, there is one clear demand being repeated again and again. If Bobb is going to leave, they want a buy-back clause written into the deal

For many supporters, this situation feels familiar but still painful. City are a club stacked with talent, overflowing with options in attack, and ruthless when it comes to squad planning. That environment creates winners, but it also creates casualties. Oscar Bobb may be the next one. At just 22 years old, he is loved by fans, respected for his technical ability, and admired for his attitude, yet opportunities have been limited. With Dortmund circling and City pushing ahead with other attacking targets, the writing appears to be on the wall.

Bobb’s story at Manchester City has always been about patience. From the moment he arrived at the club, it was clear he had something special. His close control, balance, and intelligence on the ball stood out immediately. Coaches spoke about his confidence in tight spaces and his calm decision-making. Fans saw glimpses of a player who could glide past defenders, link play smoothly, and change the rhythm of a game with one touch.

But Manchester City is not a normal club. Breaking into the first team is one of the hardest tasks in world football. For every talented young player, there are established stars ahead of them. For Bobb, the problem has not been quality, but competition. On the right flank, on the left, or drifting inside, he has had to battle against players with experience, trophies, and proven records at the very top level.

During the 2025-26 season, Pep Guardiola has given Bobb just five Premier League starts. Across all competitions, he has made 17 appearances. Those numbers tell the story clearly. He has been involved, trusted to an extent, but never fully unleashed. For a player of his age and ability, that can be frustrating. For fans watching from the stands and from home, it has often felt like he deserved more.

Supporters have been expecting this moment for a while. The idea of Bobb leaving has been discussed quietly for months, especially as City’s squad planning for the future became clearer. With Erling Haaland untouchable as the central striker, and with wide areas packed with options, minutes have been hard to guarantee. Even Tottenham’s reported interest in Omar Marmoush underlines the same issue. No matter how good you are, if you cannot displace Haaland or the established wingers, your path is blocked.

Now, with Manchester City moving closer to signing Antoine Semenyo, the situation has become even more obvious. Semenyo’s arrival would add yet another powerful, direct forward into the mix. For Bobb, that feels like the final signal. His chances would shrink further. Fans understand this logic, which is why there has been little shock at the news of his potential departure. Sadness, yes. Anger, no. Acceptance, mostly.

But acceptance does not mean indifference. City supporters care deeply about Oscar Bobb, and their reaction online has been loud and clear. They do not want him gone forever. They want a safety net. They want the club to protect itself and the player’s future by including a buy-back clause in any deal with Borussia Dortmund.

Social media has been full of messages expressing this feeling. One fan said they hope City add a buy-back clause because Bobb is an amazing talent and they want him back in the future. Another pointed out how City handled the Yan Couto deal, explaining that the club is smart when it comes to clauses and long-term planning. Couto, they argued, was never really expected to make it at City, which is why no buy-back was included. With Bobb, the feeling is different. The belief is stronger.

That belief comes from what fans have seen. Bobb’s technique is often described as incredible. His ability to receive the ball under pressure, twist away from defenders, and make the right choice has impressed even in limited minutes. He does not look rushed. He does not panic. He plays like someone who understands the game deeply. That is why supporters are reluctant to let him go without a way back.

Some fans have even gone further, listing possible squad plans and categorising players into loan, sell with buy-back, or permanent exit. In those lists, Bobb consistently appears under the “loan or sell with buy-back” category. That tells you everything. The emotional connection is there, but so is the football logic. Fans know he needs to play. They just do not want City to lose him completely.y

Borussia Dortmund, of course, are an attractive destination. For young attacking players, they are one of the best clubs in Europe. Their history speaks for itself. They give chances. They trust youth. They play fast, attacking football. And they are not afraid to build a team around emerging stars. For Bobb, it could be the perfect place to finally play every week and express himself fully.

City fans know this too. That is why many are saying they hope the move does him well. There is no bitterness towards Dortmund. In fact, there is a strange sense of familiarity. Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund have done plenty of business together over the years, and that shared history makes this potential deal feel even more logical.

One of the most famous examples is Jadon Sancho. He left City’s academy to join Dortmund, where he exploded into one of Europe’s most exciting young wingers. His success in Germany eventually earned him a huge move back to England. That story still sits in the minds of City supporters, especially when another talented winger is heading in the same direction.

Then there is Erling Haaland. Dortmund developed him, trusted him, and allowed him to become a goal-scoring monster. City then brought him to the Premier League, and the rest is history. Haaland has only gone from strength to strength in Manchester, breaking records and redefining expectations. That pathway from Dortmund to City is now well established.

Ilkay Gundogan is another example. Manuel Akanji too. Yan Couto eventually ended up in Germany after time in Spain, even if he never made a first-team appearance for City. The relationship between the two clubs is strong, and deals are often structured with long-term thinking in mind. That is why fans are confident that City can include smart clauses if they choose to.

The demand for a buy-back clause is not driven by nostalgia alone. It is driven by fear of regret. City supporters have seen talented players leave before, only to flourish elsewhere. Sometimes that is unavoidable. Sometimes it is the right decision. But with Bobb, many feel the club would be making a mistake by closing the door completely.

Pep Guardiola’s role in this situation is also part of the discussion. Guardiola is famous for demanding perfection. He values tactical intelligence, discipline, and reliability. Young players often struggle to earn his full trust, not because they lack talent, but because they are still learning. Bobb has earned minutes under Pep, which already says a lot. But earning a permanent starting role is another level entirely.

Guardiola has always been honest with players. If you cannot guarantee minutes, he will tell you. If a move makes sense, he will not stand in your way. That honesty has defined City’s transfer strategy for years. Players leave, but usually on good terms. Bobb’s situation fits that pattern. There is no drama, no public fallout. Just a recognition that his development may be better served elsewhere right now.

From Bobb’s perspective, the decision will not be easy. Leaving a club like Manchester City is never simple. The facilities, the coaching, the standards, the chance to train with the best players in the world, all of that matters. But footballers also want to play. They want rhythm. They want responsibility. At 22, sitting on the bench indefinitely is not an option if you want to fulfil your potential.

A move to Dortmund could give Bobb exactly what he needs. Regular starts. Freedom to express himself. A fanbase that embraces attacking flair. A league that suits technical players. If he thrives there, his value will rise, his confidence will grow, and his future will open up again. That is why City fans want to keep the connection alive through a buy-back clause.

The phrase “I’m still a firm Bobb believer” sums up the mood perfectly. Supporters are not giving up on him. They are just realistic. They understand the current squad dynamics. They see Semenyo coming in. They see Haaland locked in. They see competition everywhere. What they want is reassurance that if Bobb becomes the player they believe he can be, City will have the chance to bring him home.

This is modern football. Squad building is no longer just about who you keep and who you sell. It is about options, clauses, percentages, and future planning. City are known for being smart in this area. Fans trust the club to protect its interests. That trust is why the buy-back clause has become such a central talking point.

As the January window opens, everything will move quickly. Talks will intensify. Details will emerge. Decisions will be made. Oscar Bobb’s future looks set to take him away from the Etihad, at least for now. For Manchester City supporters, the hope is simple. Let him go. Let him grow. But do not let him go forever.

If a deal with Borussia Dortmund is agreed with the right safeguards, it could be a win for everyone. Bobb gets the chance to play and develop. Dortmund get a gifted young attacker. City keep control of a talent they still believe in. That is the outcome fans are pushing for, and that is the one they will be watching for as the window finally opens.