Manchester City have made a big statement of intent in the race for the Champions League places by signing striker Omar Marmoush for £63.2million - the star who was on Newcastle United's transfer hit-list. Marmoush has been scouted by the Magpies but City have moved quickly in January in response to an indifferent run of form.

It takes City's spending spree this month to over £125m and after clawing past Newcastle to fifth place in the table on goal difference, Pep Guardiola's side know that while their title hopes are fading, the job of qualifying for the Champions League is vital. And that has been backed up by the arrival of Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Newcastle's grip on fourth place was weakened by a 4-1 home loss to AFC Bournemouth last weekend as they slipped away from the upper echelons with City capitalising with a 6-0 thrashing away to Ipswich Town while Chelsea also nudged back to fourth with a 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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Of course, fifth place could still offer a Champions League slot next season but the season, and race for the top four, now boils down to a 16 game shoot out and the Cherries, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion also can't be dismissed.

Man City transfer chief Txiki Begiristain has hailed the arrival of Marmoush, saying: "Omar is an accomplished and exciting forward, and I’m delighted he’s joining us. He’s had an outstanding season, and every time we have watched him, he has influenced matches.

"He has all the attributes a top-class attacker requires. He has outstanding pace and awareness, and he is exceptional in front of goal. He can also play a number of different positions, which is a really valuable asset.

"I also have no doubt that working with Pep and the technical staff here at City will see him further develop his superb attacking talent."

Signing a 20-goal man like Marmoush is something that Howe could do with right now to back up Alexander Isak with Callum Wilson still sidelined with injury. Newcastle were also interested in Khusanov but with PSR becoming a dark cloud over St James' Park, Howe has stated that the club may not sign anybody this January.

And while City have had their fair share of issues this season they have been able to flex their muscle and dip into the huge piled of revenue at their disposal. The four in a row Premier League winners announced record profits of £715 million last December.