Eintracht Frankfurt have confirmed that Omar Marmoush is in talks over a transfer to an unspecified club amid claims that Manchester City have reached a verbal agreement for his signature.
The Egypt international was a notable absentee from Die Adler's squad to face Borussia Dortmund in Friday's Bundesliga clash, fuelling speculation that his Etihad switch was close to completion.
Marmoush was not believed to have been carrying any sort of injury, and Frankfurt have now announced that the 25-year-old has not been included in the squad to meet Dortmund as talks continue.
While the 2021-22 Europa League winners did not directly announce that Marmoush was discussing a switch to Man City, it is believed that the Premier League champions are on the brink of sealing a deal.
"Eintracht Frankfurt are currently in talks with another club regarding the transfer of Omar Marmoush. As a result, he is not included in the squad today," Frankfurt said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
How the Marmoush transfer situation unfolded
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Marmoush is said to have been courted by several Premier League clubs ever since the 2023-24 season, where he made a steady start at the Deutsche Bank Park with 17 goals and six assists in his debut season.
The striker sent tongues wagging regarding a possible move to Liverpool last year, describing sharing a pitch with Mohamed Salah as a "fantastic feeling", and Liverpool are indeed said to have held an interest alongside Arsenal.
However, City made a concerted effort to land Marmoush this month, and Frankfurt CEO Markus Krosche confirmed last week that a team had made contact with his side over a winter deal.
A first bid for the 25-year-old was turned down, but the Citizens are now understood to have struck a verbal agreement, which will see them pay a total of €80m (£67.6m) if all add-ons are hit.
Personal terms are also said to have been agreed with Marmoush, who has amassed a terrific 20 goals and 14 assists from just 26 appearances in the 2024-25 season.
What other January business could Man City do?
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If Pep Guardiola gets his way, Marmoush might be one of three new big-money additions at the Etihad Stadium this month, a list that also includes Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov.
The Uzbekistan international's switch is believed to be on the verge of completion after his work permit was approved, and the Citizens have supposedly intensified their efforts to sign Juventus' Andrea Cambiaso too.
It was reported on Thursday that the Premier League champions were prepared to bid as much as £54.7m for the Italy international, but Juve value him in the €80m (£67.6m) range and are determined not to lose him this month.
Cambiaso would arrive in Manchester as a direct replacement for Kyle Walker, who is understood to be edging closer to a mid-season switch to AC Milan after informing Guardiola of his desire to leave.
Ben Knapton
