Manchester City reportedly remain confident that they will complete the signing of attacker Omar Marmoush, despite having an official bid rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Citizens are working hard to bolster Pep Guardiola's squad this month and are believed to be keen to reduce the age profile of a team that has become the fourth oldest in the Premier League this season.
Progress has already been made by Man City in their pursuit of two central defenders, with the Premier League champions having reached agreements with Lens and Palmeiras respectively to sign 20-year-old Abdukodir Khusanov and 18-year-old Vitor Reis.
Guardiola is also hoping to bring in a new attacker, with 25-year-old Marmoush identified as City's top target for the remainder of the January transfer window.
Earlier this week, Frankfurt CEO Markus Krosche revealed that an unnamed club, believed to be Man City, had made contact over a move for Marmoush, although has was still holding out hope that the versatile forward would stay at Deutsche Bank Park.
It was reported on Tuesday that Man City had submitted an official bid, but The Athletic claims that it has been turned down by Frankfurt.
© Imago
Marmoush set to play for Frankfurt vs. Dortmund after Man City bid rejected
Sources close to the deal claim that the Citizens' offer was 'too low', falling short of Frankfurt's asking price which is believed to be €80m (£67m).
However, there is said to be an expectation that an agreement between both clubs will eventually be reached, while journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Man City 'remain absolutely confident' of luring Marmoush to the Etihad Stadium before the winter window closes on February 3.
Marmoush has already agreed personal terms with Guardiola's side, but he continues to excel for Frankfurt while negotiations over a transfer fee remain ongoing.
After scoring the only goal in a narrow 1-0 Bundesliga win at St Pauli last weekend, Marmoush score one and assisted two more as he starred in Frankfurt's 4-1 home victory over Freiburg on Tuesday.
The Egypt international, who will remain in Frankfurt's squad for Friday's Bundesliga home clash with Borussia Dortmund, has increased his impressive goal tally in the league to 15 for the season, just one behind Bayern Munich's Harry Kane (16) at the top of the German top-flight scoring charts.
Across all competitions, Marmoush has recorded 20 goals and 13 assists in 26 appearances, and he is one of only two players in Europe's top-five league, along with compatriot Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, who has reached double figures for goals and assists.
Oliver Thomas
