Manchester City target £50m Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush
Manchester City are targeting Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush to bolster Pep Guardiola’s forward line, though signing him this month will be difficult owing to the Bundesliga club’s challenge for a Champions League place.
Frankfurt are third, in the final automatic qualification berth, having played only once in Europe’s premier club competition since 1960 – two seasons ago.
City admire the Egyptian but are aware the Eintracht head coach, Dino Toppmöller, does not wish to lose his top scorer. Only Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane has more Bundesliga goals this season than Marmoush’s 13.
Marmoush, who would cost about £50m, is a No 9 who can also operate wide or as a No 10. The 25-year-old, who has 18 goals in all competitions for Eintracht this season, has scored a more modest six times in 35 international appearances.
City sold Julián Alvarez to Atlético Madrid for a club record £82m in the summer but did not replace the forward, whose profile is similar to Marmoush’s.
Erling Haaland has recently rediscovered his form, scoring three times in City’s past two games after managing only one goal in his previous seven matches. Signing Marmoush would enable Guardiola to rest Haaland and allow a different mode of play if the manager wished.
If Marmoush joins it could prompt James McAtee to push for a move away from City.
Fulham are interested in an initial loan for McAtee, who has also been tracked by West Ham, and the midfielder is keen for more opportunities. The 22-year-old, a product of City’s academy, was on loan at Sheffield United last season and was monitored by Chelsea last summer. The England Under-21 international has found starts hard to come by this season. Fulham are monitoring the situation and it is understood a loan is likelier than a permanent transfer.
McAtee would cost about £20m this month. Ipswich have also shown interest.
It remains to be seen whether City would allow McAtee to leave given their injury problems. He remains highly regarded and there has been talk of the champions offering him a new contract. His deal expires in 2026.
