Eintracht Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmoller has cast doubt on the potential £67million transfer of Omar Marmoush to Manchester City, despite the prolific forward’s impressive form in the Bundesliga. Marmoush, who has scored 14 goals in 16 matches this season, is expected to be a key figure in Frankfurt’s upcoming match against SC Freiburg, as reports from Germany suggest he is set to start. Toppmoller has added further uncertainty, stating that it is “not out of the question” that Marmoush could remain at Frankfurt.
Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, have been in talks to secure the Egyptian international’s signature, hoping to bolster their attacking options. The Premier League champions have been eager to relieve some of the pressure on star striker Erling Haaland by adding another forward to their ranks. Marmoush has emerged as a top target for City, with personal terms already agreed upon between the player and the club. However, negotiations over the structure of the transfer fee are still ongoing, as Frankfurt is reportedly holding out for a premium price.
Initially, City had hoped to secure Marmoush for around £40million, but Frankfurt’s stance has been firm, insisting on a higher price due to the January transfer window’s urgency. With the need to find a replacement, Frankfurt is in a strong position to demand a larger fee, which has led to the current £67million asking price.
Marmoush’s form this season has attracted attention from other top clubs, including Liverpool and Arsenal, who were also monitoring the situation. However, both teams decided not to pursue the forward further after learning of Frankfurt’s asking price. This has left Manchester City as the front-runners in the race for Marmoush, although the ongoing negotiations and Toppmoller’s recent comments have raised questions about whether the deal will go through as planned.
City’s transfer activity is not limited to Marmoush, as they are also working to strengthen their defensive options. A deal for centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov from French club Lens is expected to be finalized soon, with City agreeing to pay £33.5million for the Uzbekistan international. Khusanov is set to sign a four-and-a-half-year contract, with an option for an additional year.
Additionally, City is in talks to secure the signing of Brazilian centre-back Vitor Reis from Palmeiras, although the deal is expected to be completed after the World Club Cup in July. Palmeiras is pushing for a £37million transfer fee, which would set a new Brazilian record for a defender.
City’s transfer strategy also includes the potential addition of a midfielder, with the club remaining alert to further opportunities to strengthen their squad in the second half of the season. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Marmoush’s potential move, it is clear that City is determined to bolster their squad, ensuring that they remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions.
As the transfer window continues, all eyes will be on whether Manchester City can finalize their deal for Marmoush and further strengthen their squad for the challenges ahead. The outcome of this situation could have significant implications for both Frankfurt and City, as well as for the other clubs interested in the Egyptian forward.
