Man City close to agreeing a deal for Omar Marmoush
Man City close to agreeing a deal for Omar Marmoush. Manchester City are reported to be “close” in completing a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush, per Fabrizio Romano.
A move for the former Liverpool target appeared to have stalled after the Bundesliga club set a steep €80m (£67m) asking price. Nevertheless, City had agreed personal terms with Marmoush and are now “progressing fast” in discussions with the club surrounding a suitable fee.
An official announcement could take place as soon as next week.
Romano claims that Guardiola views Marmoush as the “perfect player to replace Julian Alvarez”. The Argentine World Cup winner was sold to Atletico Madrid over the summer for a sum in the region of £81.5m. Ageing attacking midfielder Ilkay Gundogan was the only player to arrive at the Etihad in the summer window who shared any of the same characteristics as Alvarez.
Without another attacking outlet, the goalscoring burden has fallen on Erling Haaland’s broad shoulders. City’s prolific number nine boasts an impressive 16 Premier League goals this season, but left-back Josko Gvardiol is the club’s second-top scorer with just four. Mateo Kovacic (three) is the only other player with more than a pair of top-flight goals this term.
Marmoush racked up 13 goals across his first 15 Bundesliga matches – a tally only beaten by Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane this term.
City are also in advanced discussions with Palmeiras centre-back Vitor Reis as Guardiola’s side turn to the transfer market in a desperate bid to salvage a season which currently sees them slumped in sixth place in the Premier League table.
