The Cityzens are in need of some dynamism and fresh blood in attack, but they aren't alone in their admiration of the Egypt international
For the first time in a long, time, Manchester City are in the midst of a crisis season. Whatever cycle they had going on up at the Etihad Stadium has ended and they went into the January window knowing that they were desperately in need of some new talent for Pep Guardiola to work with.
Their only reliable goal-scorer this term has been Erling Haaland, and even then he's been wildly out of form since telling Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to "stay humble". The likes of Jack Grealish and Phil Foden haven't held up their end of the bargain when it comes to finding the net, and City needed reinforcements if they're going to salvage something from this campaign.
City's search for such a player took them to Germany's newest sensation, Omar Marmoush of Eintracht Frankfurt. The Egypt international has been a well-respected Bundesliga attacker for a while now, but his 2024 form saw him enter a different conversation altogether.
City weren't the only side linked with a move for Marmoush, as Liverpool were long reported as an alternative destination, either as a replacement to or to be a partner for countryman Mohamed Salah, while Arsenal and Manchester United were linked with moves over the autumn too.
The Premier League champions have paid an initial €70 million (£59m/$73m) to move to the front of the queue mid-season and while that is undoubtedly a lot to spend on a player who has never previously hinted at reaching the heights he has this term, there's little reason to think Marmoush won't be a success at City over the next few seasons, particularly with his peak years still ahead of him.
GOAL has done some digging into the forward's rise:
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWhere it all began
Born in Cairo on February 7, 1999, Marmoush joined local side Wadi Degla as a youngster. A relatively modest club on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital, he was able to quietly go about his development, despite the team's minor affiliation with Arsenal threatening to expose his budding promise. Such was his talent that he played an age-group up for much of his youth career.
At the age of 18, Marmoush was handed his senior debut for Wadi Degla in an Egyptian Premier League match with Al Ittihad Alexandria in July 2016, coming off the bench to grab an assist in a 3-2 win. He played and matured under Egypt legend Mido, who took an immediate shine to the youngster and afforded him more first-team opportunities.
And that's when the European clubs began to circle. Marmoush received offers from Borussia Dortmund and Malaga, but instead opted to join Wolfsburg in 2017, later citing star striker Mario Gomez and Freddie Ljungberg – who enjoyed a brief coaching spell at the Volkswagen Arena – as major influences on his decision.
Not yet fully polished, Marmoush spent three years in Wolfsburg's reserve team honing his craft before making a smattering of senior appearances. In 2020, he was sent on a season-long loan to St Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga, where a return of seven goals in 21 games signalled he was finally ready for top-flight football.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportThe big break
Wolfsburg recognised Marmoush's potential, but wanted him to test the Bundesliga waters elsewhere before returning to don their garish green colours. "Over the past year, Omar has come on in leaps and bounds with good performances in the U23s, and that has seen him dip his toes into the Bundesliga and with the senior squad. Now he needs to gradually get used to playing at Bundesliga level, so that he can take it to the next step," ex-Wolfsburg director Marcel Schafer said at the time.
Another loan, this time to Stuttgart, followed for 2021-22, though the conditions were hardly ideal for him to truly flourish – the season was spent battling relegation and a 15th-placed finish surmised the club's struggles.
Despite Stuttgart's troublesome slide, injury problems and time away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Marmoush caught the eye with performances primarily from the left wing. There was a dynamism and explosiveness that made him perfect for Bundesliga football. At long last, it seemed he was ready for Wolfsburg.
That's why it came as a disappointment when, despite missing only one league match all season and playing largely as a centre-forward, Marmoush returned only five goals. Wolfsburg decided to cut ties and let Marmoush walk away for free at the end of his contract, with Eintracht stepping forward to afford him a fresh lease of life. And boy have they not had a single regret since…
AFPHow it's going
Marmoush is now firmly among the Bundesliga's best forwards, no question about it. After joining Eintracht for 2023-24, he managed to match his career-best season tally of seven goals and three assists in only 14 games, and he ended the campaign with a mightily-impressive return of 16 goals and six assists in all competitions.
Mido, still monitoring one of his favourite footballing sons from afar, took to social media to plead with his former club Tottenham to sign Marmoush, comparing this recommendation to a prior one over Salah which fell on deaf Spurs ears. Other European giants were touted with an interest, notably United and Liverpool, but he remained at Deutsche Bank Park.
"The goals I scored and my performances during the season were not by chance," Marmoush said in July. "I worked hard for all of this. Here at the club, you get great support and the best help to develop your talent. I have a very good feeling towards my team. It seems to me like a family, and this is the way we have to deal with our matches later."
Eintracht must be thanking the heavens that they were able to keep hold of Marmoush with such little fuss having started the season in incredible form. He leaves the club having already clocked up 20 goals and 14 assists in just 26 matches. In the Bundesliga, only Harry Kane has bettered his return of 15 goals at this stage.
There aren't many players in Europe who are in better form than Marmoush at the moment, so what is it that makes him special?
AFPBiggest strengths
The lazy comparison is to say Marmoush plays like Salah because they share a nationality, but the two do share some similarities. It is Marmoush's pace that is perhaps most distinguishable feature, though he does love sitting a defender or goalkeeper on their backside before firing home in a similar vein to Liverpool's current 'Egyptian King'. When in stride, he's almost impossible to stop.
But unlike Salah, Marmoush's quickness is a little more immediate and allows him to pose a threat on either flank as well as through the middle, while he is a little more selfless in his pursuit of wins.
"If there is a 30 percent chance that I will score a goal and my team-mate has a better chance and is in a better position, then I will pass the ball so that we can score a goal as a team, not just Omar," Marmoush has previously commented.
Eintracht boss Dino Toppmoller said of his star attacker: "He's responsible for producing danger up front, firing in goals and setting up others. He's very difficult to defend due to his pace and how fast he can run in deep. He can also sneak in from close range, take a great touch and play some great passes. He's in outstanding form at the moment, and he's feeling comfortable. That's the key to his success these days."
It should also be noted that Marmoush is an intense and aggressive presser, which is becoming the norm among football's leading stars. He isn't afraid to do that dirty work.
