Manchester City push for £50m Arsenal target

Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush has ruled out a January transfer despite interest from Arsenal, Manchester City, and other Premier League clubs, but that isn’t stopping City.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 06: Omar Marmoush of Eintracht Frankfurt controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern München at Deutsche Bank Park on October 06, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) — Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Manchester City are reportedly pushing to sign Omar Marmoush in January. According to an article in The Daily Telegraph, they are pursuing a deal worth around £50m.

City ready with £50m bid for the ‘new Salah’ Guardiola targets Frankfurt forward in squad rebuild Egyptian second only to Kane for Bundesliga goals The Daily Telegraph8 Jan 2025By Sam Wallace and Mike Mcgrath Masked marvel: Omar Marmoush scores for Eintracht Frankfurt, one of his 13 league goals this season, and (top) puts on a disguise for a Halloween celebration Manchester City are pushing for a January deal for the Egypt international Omar Marmoush, a versatile attacker and No10 from Eintracht Frankfurt who will cost around £50 million. Marmoush, 25, is one of the leading players in the Bundesliga, a relatively late bloomer at the top level who joined Frankfurt on a free transfer from Wolfsburg at the start of last season. He is second only to Harry Kane this season among Bundesliga goalscorers with 13 goals – as well as seven assists – and there has been resistance from the German club to him leaving. Marmoush is contracted for two further seasons after this one and the original intention was a sale in the summer. Frankfurt are third in the Bundesliga and fifth in the 36-team Europa League and Marmoush’s performances have been a major driver. City feel that he can hit the ground running in the Premier League by virtue of his pace and his ability to play a number of attacking positions. As well as at Wolfsburg, he has played on loan at St Pauli in the second tier and at Stuttgart. Last season was his breakthrough as a regular goalscorer in the Bundesliga, with 12 goals for Frankfurt. City are trying to refresh Pep Guardiola’s squad mid-season after a desperate run over November and December. Since then they have won their two most recent Premier League games, against Leicester City and West Ham. The club are trying to strengthen in a number of positions which have been weakened by a run of injuries to key players. Marmoush fits the bill for an attacking player who can operate across the front three. Although he has been labelled “the next Mohamed Salah” after setting goalscoring records like his Egypt team-mate this season, another striking comparison is with David Beckham for his direct free-kicks. Marmoush has scored three in consecutive games in this campaign, having mastered the art of clearing the wall with pace, but dipping the ball as it fades from the goalkeeper. When he scored against Borussia Monchengladbach around Halloween time, he celebrated by wearing a mask on the pitch. City are also in the market for a defender. The 20-year-old Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov of Lens is a key target. Khusanov was part of the Uzbekistan Under-23 team who reached the final of the Asian Cup in their age cohort last season. Article Name:City ready with £50m bid for the ‘new Salah’ Publication:The Daily Telegraph Author:By Sam Wallace and Mike Mcgrath Start Page:4 End Page:4

The 25-year-old Egyptian international, who has been in scintillating form with 13 goals and eight assists in 15 Bundesliga games this season, has stated his commitment to Frankfurt until the summer.

“My focus is solely Eintracht Frankfurt and being successful here, so at the end of the season we can say, as a team, ‘We’ve achieved something great,’” Marmoush said, making it clear he is not seeking a mid-season move.

Frankfurt, who signed Marmoush on a free transfer in 2023, reportedly value him at over £50 million, a significant rise from the £25 million offers rejected last summer.

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - OCTOBER 06: Omar Marmoush of Eintracht Frankfurt scores the team's second goal past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Bayern Muenchen during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern München at Deutsche Bank Park on October 06, 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) — Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Marmoush’s performances against Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, where he scored three goals and registered one assist, have only heightened interest in his services.

For Arsenal, the versatile forward offers an intriguing option as they look to strengthen their attacking depth. Marmoush combines pace, technical skill, and clinical finishing, qualities that would fit perfectly with Mikel Arteta’s dynamic system. His ability to operate across the front line and his international pedigree—5 caps and six goals for Egypt—further enhance his appeal.

While Arsenal’s pursuit of Marmoush appears serious, they will need to wait until the summer. The Gunners, however, will face stiff competition from Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Newcastle, all of whom are monitoring the forward’s progress closely.

Marmoush’s rise, from youth stints in Wolfsburg’s system to standout spells at Stuttgart and now Frankfurt, has been impressive. As his agent and club emphasise his current focus on the Bundesliga, Arsenal’s plans for January may have to pivot while keeping an eye on Marmoush’s evolving trajectory.