Manchester City have completed the signing of attacker Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported €80m (£67m).
The 25-year-old, who arrived in Manchester earlier this week to complete his medical, has penned a four-and-a-half-year contract until 2029 and becomes Pep Guardiola's third signing of the January transfer window after defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
Frankfurt have made an extraordinary profit on a player who they signed on a free transfer from Wolfsburg in 2023 before developing into one the most exciting and prolific attackers in the Bundesliga.
Marmoush leaves Frankfurt after recording 37 goals and 20 assists in 67 appearances, including 20 goals and 13 assists in 26 games across all competitions this season - making him one of only two players who has reached double figures for goals and assists in the current campaign along with compatriot Mohamed Salah at Liverpool.
Man City have confirmed that Marmoush will wear the No.7 shirt and he could be ready to make his debut for Guardiola's side in Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
"I'm fast, good on the ball and dangerous" ⚡️
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 23, 2025
Welcome to City, @OmarMarmoush 🩵 pic.twitter.com/Qc2gTVtTUi
'Marmoush has all the attributes a top-class attacker requires'
"This is a day I will never forget," Marmoush told Man City's official website. "To sign for Manchester City - one of the best teams in the world - is an amazing feeling. I am delighted, my family are so proud, and we are all very happy to be here in Manchester.
"With Pep, his technical staff and the world-class facilities here, players have everything they need to improve. That was really enticing for me when I had the chance to come here.
"And I cannot deny I also want to win trophies. City have been the most successful club in England for many, many years, so I know I am joining a winning environment and winning culture. I want to learn from the staff and my teammates, and I want to become a valued member of this winning team.
"I really am looking forward to getting going, meeting the other players and showing the Manchester City fans what I can do."
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: "Omar is an accomplished and exciting forward, and I'm delighted he's joining us. He's had an outstanding season, and every time we have watched him, he has influenced matches.
"He has all the attributes a top-class attacker requires. He has outstanding pace and awareness, and he is exceptional in front of goal. He can also play a number of different positions, which is a really valuable asset.
"I also have no doubt that working with Pep and the technical staff here at City will see him further develop his superb attacking talent."
City's Egyptian Prince 🇪🇬👑 pic.twitter.com/IQU2OWr9ML
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 23, 2025
Man City sign 'Egyptian Prince': Has Guardiola found his Alvarez replacement?
One of the key characteristics that will have persuaded Man City to sign Marmoush is his versatility. The Egyptian has primarily operated as a central striker for Frankfurt this season, but he also capable of dropping into deeper attacking positions and operating on either flank.
This season, Man City have been heavily reliant on Erling Haaland, who has scored a total of 23 goals in all competitions and a whopping 14 more than his nearest challenger at the club Phil Foden (nine).
Haaland has played more minutes (2,629) than any other Man City player so far this season and has started every single game for the club in both the Premier League and the Champions League - starting 14 successive matches between November 2 and January 4 before being rested for the 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford City.
Haaland's cemented status in Guardiola's lineup means that the addition of another out-and-out striker is of limited appeal to Man City, who have instead opted to sign a flexible player in Marmoush who can either deputise for Haaland, if required, or play in the same team as the Norwegian.
Marmoush's move to Man City represents the attacking replacement many felt that the Citizens should have signed last summer when Julian Alvarez completed a club-record departure to Atletico Madrid.
When comparing the output of Marmoush this term to Alvarez's at Man City last season, the Egyptian has significantly averaged more attempted dribbles per 90 minutes than the Argentine (6.0 to 1.5) and more shots per 90 (4.8 to 3.3), as per Opta.
Marmoush is also averaging more goals (0.9 to 0.4) and more assists (0.6 to 0.3) than Alvarez per 90 minutes, while he has almost equalled Alvarez's numbers for chances created per (2.2 to 2.3) and for possession won per 90 (3.2 to 3.3).
© Imago
"I've played many positions. For the national team I'm left wing most of the time. At my former club I was No.9, sometimes 10 and also an eight," said Marmoush after joining Man City.
"I've also played right wing, so I can play all positions, but I feel most comfortable behind the striker in the No.10 where the way to goal is quicker - or shorter I should say - so I'm comfortable in all positions.
"But wherever I play, I'll always give my all to try and help. My main strength is I always want to win - that's from a character point of view. On the pitch I'm fast, good on the ball, try to see where spaces are and exploit spaces - and I'm dangerous."
"It is an honour the club showed an interest in me and now I'm here," he added. "The last two seasons have been great, but it is just the beginning for me.
"It's a pleasure and an honour for me and my family to be representing Manchester City. It makes them happy; it makes me happy that my dreams are becoming a reality. I'm really excited and I can't wait to meet my team-mates, get on the pitch and start my journey with the club."
Man City will hope that Marmoush can make an immediate impact in the final third during a challenging run of fixtures in the coming weeks against teams including Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Oliver Thomas
