Crystal Palace may now enter discussions to sign an “incredible” Premier League attacker this week, with Oliver Glasner eager to bring in further attacking reinforcements.
Palace targeting another forward alongside Johnson:
Brennan Johnson became Palace’s first arrival of the January transfer window, with the former Tottenham Hotspur player making his debut against Macclesfield in the FA Cup after being introduced at half-time.
However, the Welsh international failed to have the hoped-for influence, as the FA Cup holders were eventually knocked out following a 2-1 loss to the sixth-tier side, marking one of the most stunning upsets in the competition’s history.
Glasner was left frustrated by his team’s lack of attacking edge, saying: “I have no words for this performance.
“It’s not just losing, it’s creating almost no chances. It was really hard to watch, there was no physical presence, no kind of quality in our attack. This is what makes it so disappointing.”
The Eagles’ recent run has been worrying, having failed to secure a victory in their last nine outings across all competitions. As a result, fresh faces could be required this month, and there has been a new development regarding their chase for another forward.
According to TEAMtalk, Crystal Palace are preparing for pivotal talks over Marc Guehi’s future this week, with negotiations involving Manchester City expected to begin shortly.
Those discussions could start in the coming days, and there is a sense that Oscar Bobb’s name may also come up. It has previously been reported that Palace are keen on the forward, who could be available for a fee in the region of £30m.
With Antoine Semenyo having recently joined Manchester City, questions have been raised about Bobb’s place in Pep Guardiola’s squad. That uncertainty could open the door to a potential departure, while centre-back Nathan Ake may also be part of the conversation given the situation surrounding Guehi.
“Incredible” Bobb could be forced to move on:
Even before suffering a hamstring injury in December, the Norwegian struggled to cement a regular starting role at City, frequently being left on the bench by Guardiola or used as an impact substitute.
At just 22 years of age, the winger needs regular minutes to continue his development, something that may become even more difficult following Semenyo’s arrival. As such, a move away from the Etihad could prove to be a smart decision.
Palace would be acquiring a hugely promising talent, with Bobb having been described as “incredible” by Pep Guardiola himself. He has already begun to showcase his quality in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Although his progress was disrupted last season after breaking his leg, the City attacker has impressed across a number of attacking metrics over the past year and could turn out to be an outstanding addition for Palace.
Oscar Bobb’s key statistics
Average per 90 (past year)
- Assists: 0.16 (81st percentile)
- Progressive carries: 3.71 (99th percentile)
- Successful take-ons: 3.39 (99th percentile)