Omar Marmoush is reportedly on the verge of signing with Manchester City. Here’s why the Premier League champions are eyeing the Eintracht Frankfurt forward.
With Mohamed Salah’s outstanding form this season, it’s easy to see why many might believe the key to discovering a Premier League superstar forward lies in Egypt.
Salah’s international teammate, Omar Marmoush, could soon join him in England’s top tier, as reports suggest Manchester City are eyeing a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt during the January transfer window.
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Omar Marmoush: The New Egyptian Star Catching Manchester City’s Attention
It’s not Omar Marmoush’s Egyptian nationality but his remarkable numbers that have drawn Manchester City’s interest. The 25-year-old forward has been sensational for Eintracht Frankfurt during the 2024-25 season, registering 13 goals and seven assists in 15 Bundesliga games. Across all competitions, his tally stands at an impressive 18 goals and 11 assists in just 24 appearances.
Marmoush’s standout performances include assisting Hugo Ekitiké in Eintracht’s 3-2 victory over Stuttgart on November 10, which marked a significant milestone. He became only the second player from Europe’s top five leagues to achieve double figures for both goals and assists in all competitions this season—following compatriot Mohamed Salah, who had reached the milestone just a day earlier. Even two months later, Marmoush remains one of only two players to achieve this feat.
While some outside Germany may view Marmoush’s rise as sudden, his progression has been steady. Last season, he recorded 12 goals and six assists in 29 Bundesliga games, adding another five goals in 12 games in other competitions. This season, however, has seen Marmoush elevate his game to unprecedented levels, much like last season’s breakout Bundesliga star Serhou Guirassy.
Marmoush’s path to success wasn’t straightforward. He joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer in 2023 after four seasons with Wolfsburg, where he scored six goals in 48 appearances (18 starts). Loan spells with St. Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga and Stuttgart in the top flight showcased glimpses of his potential, with Marmoush scoring seven goals in 21 games for St. Pauli and three in 21 for Stuttgart.
However, it was in Frankfurt that Marmoush truly flourished. Despite arriving after the departure of head coach Oliver Glasner, he has thrived under Glasner’s successor, Dino Toppmöller, particularly during the current campaign.
Marmoush has also shown his quality on the international stage. Ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, he was tipped as a player to watch and delivered for Egypt, scoring in their 2-2 group-stage draw against Ghana. Although Egypt exited in the Round of 16, Marmoush was one of only four players from the squad to find the net during the tournament.
Few would have predicted Marmoush’s rapid ascent, especially considering his modest record at Wolfsburg. Yet, his transformation at Frankfurt into one of Europe’s most potent attackers has been nothing short of extraordinary. As Manchester City reportedly eyes the Eintracht star ahead of the January transfer window, Marmoush could soon find himself on the grandest stage of them all—the Premier League.
Omar Marmoush’s Record-Breaking Form and Multifaceted Impact
In Europe’s top five leagues, only Mohamed Salah (38) has more goal involvements across all competitions than Omar Marmoush’s remarkable 29 this season. The Eintracht Frankfurt star is also second only to his national team captain when focusing solely on league performances, with 20 goal involvements ahead of the likes of Harry Kane, Cole Palmer (both 19), Robert Lewandowski (18), Alexander Isak, Raphinha, and Erling Haaland (all 17).
Marmoush’s finishing has been nothing short of elite. His 13 Bundesliga goals have come from just 7.6 expected goals (xG), a stunning overperformance of 5.4—surpassed only by Premier League stars Bryan Mbeumo (6.8) and Matheus Cunha (5.9) in Europe’s big five leagues. A significant factor in this overperformance is his mastery of set pieces. Earlier this season, Marmoush achieved the rare feat of scoring directly from free-kicks in three consecutive matches, becoming the first player to do so in Europe’s top five leagues since Lionel Messi for Barcelona in 2019. His three direct free-kick goals are the highest in all competitions this season, with only three other players managing two.
Marmoush’s impact goes beyond his goal-scoring prowess. He is a constant menace to defenders, winning 50 free-kicks this season—more than any other forward in Europe’s top five leagues. His ability to carry the ball and create chances is equally impressive. Last season, he ranked third among Bundesliga forwards for total carries (323), chance-creating carries (17), and total distance carried, trailing only Leroy Sané and Andrej Kramaric. This season, he has elevated his game even further. Marmoush leads all Bundesliga forwards with 209 carries and an astonishing 27 shot-ending carries—14 more than his closest competitor, Loïs Openda.
Beyond his individual brilliance, Marmoush excels at creating opportunities for teammates. His 31 chances created rank among the top six in the Bundesliga this season. His partnership with Hugo Ekitiké has been particularly fruitful, with Marmoush assisting five of Ekitiké’s 11 goals this campaign. This chemistry suggests he could form a lethal duo with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland if a January transfer materializes.
While Marmoush primarily plays as a striker, his versatility allows him to operate off the left wing or as a second striker/attacking midfielder. This adaptability could prove invaluable for Pep Guardiola, who hasn’t fully replaced Julián Alvarez following his summer departure to Atlético Madrid.
Omar Marmoush’s extraordinary blend of scoring, creativity, and versatility makes him one of Europe’s most exciting talents this season. Should Manchester City secure his signature, Marmoush could provide yet another dynamic option in their quest for continued dominance.
Omar Marmoush’s Key Metrics and Potential Fit at Manchester City
When comparing Omar Marmoush’s performance to Julián Alvarez’s at Manchester City last season, the Egyptian forward stands out in several areas. Marmoush is averaging 4.5 shots per 90 minutes, which surpasses Alvarez’s 3.3, and he attempts significantly more dribbles (5.3 per 90 compared to 1.5). While their chances created per 90 minutes are similar (2.2 for Marmoush, 2.3 for Alvarez), Marmoush comes close to matching Alvarez’s number of possession wins per 90 minutes as well (3.0 for Marmoush, 3.3 for Alvarez). However, these figures could change if Marmoush adapts to a different tactical system with new demands.
One of the most intriguing aspects of a potential move to Manchester City will be observing how Marmoush adjusts to Pep Guardiola’s possession-heavy style. Eintracht Frankfurt, where Marmoush currently plays, focuses less on dominating the ball, with only eight Bundesliga teams averaging less than their 48.3% possession this season. In contrast, Manchester City leads Europe’s top five leagues with 61.4% possession. The Egyptian’s ability to adapt to this shift in playing style will be pivotal for his success at City.
Regardless of his playing system, Marmoush has shown a knack for making an impact. He delivered a goal and two assists in Eintracht’s remarkable 5-1 win over Bayern Munich last season and scored twice in a 3-3 draw against them earlier this campaign. In fact, Bayern Munich is the only Bundesliga team against whom he’s scored as many goals as he has against his former club Wolfsburg since the start of last season.
Opta’s Player Similarity tool, which compares player output across Europe’s top five leagues over the past decade, reveals that Marmoush’s 2024-25 performances most closely resemble two of Mohamed Salah’s standout seasons at Liverpool and Lionel Messi’s 2014-15 campaign. This places Marmoush in elite company.
Manchester City, currently struggling to meet expectations, will be hoping that Marmoush can provide the spark they need. With the Premier League still within reach and City among the favorites for the Champions League, his arrival could be crucial.
City has attempted more shots than any other team in the Premier League this season (342), yet they rank only sixth in goals (36), scoring fewer than Brentford despite taking 128 fewer shots. Their shot conversion rate of 10.5% is their lowest since the 2012-13 season, down from 13.9% last year. If Marmoush can help improve this conversion rate, his acquisition would be a significant boost for the club.
While Liverpool may have the Egyptian King, Manchester City could soon have their own Egyptian Prince in Marmoush, ready to make an impact.
FAQs
Who is Omar Marmoush and why is Manchester City interested in him?
Omar Marmoush is a 25-year-old forward playing for Eintracht Frankfurt. His impressive stats, including 13 goals and 7 assists in just 15 Bundesliga games this season, have caught the attention of Manchester City.
How does Omar Marmoush compare to Julián Alvarez at Manchester City?
Marmoush outperforms Alvarez in key metrics such as shots per 90 (4.5 vs. 3.3) and dribbles per 90 (5.3 vs. 1.5), while both players are similar in chances created per 90 minutes.
What are Omar Marmoush’s strengths on the field?
Marmoush excels in dribbling, shot conversion, and creating chances for teammates. He has also been a set-piece specialist, scoring three direct free-kicks this season—more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.
How would Omar Marmoush fit into Manchester City’s playing style?
Marmoush’s adaptability will be key as City’s possession-heavy style contrasts with Eintracht’s less ball-dominant approach. His ability to adjust to Pep Guardiola’s system could be pivotal for his success at City.
Can Omar Marmoush help improve Manchester City’s goal-scoring issues?
With City’s current struggles in finishing, Marmoush’s proven ability to overperform his xG and his knack for creating and converting chances could help boost their goal-scoring efficiency and shot conversion rate.
