Marmoush to Man City: Guardiola's €80m gamble

Tom Weber

Updated: 10 Jan 2025 18:18 GMT
4 min read

Manchester City are closing in on the blockbuster signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush in a deal that, on the face of it, makes little sense.

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The Egyptian forward has been the Bundesliga's standout performer this season, his spectacular form catapulting Eintracht Frankfurt to third in the standings when the winter break came around.

Marmoush has recorded a quite ridiculous 18 goals and 12 assists in just 24 appearances across all competitions. The 25-year-old is the flavour of the month and one of European football's most prolific attackers this term.

This form hasn't gone unnoticed and, after links with Liverpool and Arsenal, Man City are now pushing to secure his signature as soon as possible. Marmoush is keen on the move, sensing an opportunity of a lifetime - you can't blame him - and has already told the Frankfurt bosses and his teammates that he wants to leave.

Yet, the Eagles are among European football's toughest negotiators. Sporting director Markus Krosche enjoys a sparkling reputation and reportedly won't settle for less than €80 million given that Frankfurt are in the midst of a battle for a Champions League spot.

Despite this hefty price tag, the deal is expected to go through, according to Sky Germany.

Pep's Marmoush gamble

Man City, of course, are no strangers to splashing the cash. In 2023, they broke the transfer record for defenders when they shelled out €90m on RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol.

Yet the signing of Marmoush is arguably Pep Guardiola's biggest gamble because, on the face of it, it is a deal that makes little sense. Man City are about to spend €80m on a backup striker who does not fit their style of play.

Marmoush is a forward who thrives in transition. He terrifies defences in counter situations and his speed is one of the reasons why he was often shoehorned into a winger role earlier in his career.

His shot conversion rate this season is better than Erling Haaland's, but it would be a major shock if he were to supplant the Norwegian as City's starting striker.

Marmoush seems ill-suited to Guardiola's possession-heavy system, although he does have excellent technical skills and his distribution has also reached a new level this term.

The Egyptian has had a Midas Touch this season. He has been able to threaten the goal from seemingly every angle and situation, every one of his passes has found a teammate and every dribble has come off.

But one can't help but feel that Marmoush has been unlocked by Frankfurt's system and the Bundesliga's general openness. It is difficult to imagine that the 25-year-old will be able to put up similar numbers in England, playing for a team that dominates possession in almost every match.

Throughout his career, Marmoush has shown a versatility and adaptability that suggests that he can make it work at City. But the simple truth is also that he has only been able to live up to his potential under Dino Toppmoller at Frankfurt.

Given the season he has enjoyed so far and his likeable and humble character, you would back Marmoush to succeed at City, but there is no getting around the fact that his ostensibly impending signing is a major risk and perhaps even an act of desperation on the part of Guardiola.