SGE only got more for Kolo Muani
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Manchester City have gotten serious in the transfer market and secured one of Europe’s hottest stocks: Omar Marmoush. According to consistent media reports, the English champions will pay a fixed 70 million euros plus 5 million euros in bonuses to Eintracht Frankfurt for the 25-year-old left winger – the second most expensive sale in the history of the SGE. This makes Marmoush one of the most expensive departures in Bundesliga history. The Egyptian signed a contract with the Cityzens until 2029.
“This is a day I will never forget. Signing for Manchester City – one of the best teams in the world – is an incredible feeling. I’m really excited, my family is so proud and we’re all very happy to be here in Manchester. With Pep, his coaching staff and the first-class conditions here, the players have everything they need to improve. That was really tempting for me when I got the chance to come here,” explained Marmoush and continued: “And I can’t deny that I want to win trophies too. City have been the most successful club in England for many, many years, so I know I’m coming into a winning environment and a winning culture. I want to learn from the staff and my teammates and become a valued member of this winning team.”
City’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain said of the transfer: “Omar is an accomplished and exciting striker and I am delighted that he is joining us. He had an outstanding season and every time we saw him he influenced games. He has all the qualities a first-class attacker needs. He has outstanding pace and vision and is exceptional in front of goal. He can also play in multiple positions, which is a really valuable advantage. I also have no doubt that by working with Pep and the technical staff here at City he will continue to develop his outstanding attacking talent.”
In the summer of 2023, the Egyptian came to Frankfurt from VfL Wolfsburg on a free transfer and demonstrated his class in his first season. The attacker’s performance has exploded in the current season, and he is the Bundesliga’s best scorer with 15 goals and ten assists in 17 games. Only compatriot Mohamed Salah (32) was involved in more goals in Europe’s top 5 leagues. His market value rose rapidly during his time at SGE and increased tenfold to 60 million euros.
The SGE only made more money than with Marmoush in 2023 with the sale of Randal Kolo Muani (26), who moved to Paris Saint-Germain for 95 million euros. Similar to Marmoush, the Frenchman increased his market value significantly within a very short time after moving to Eintracht Frankfurt and brought the club a high transfer profit. Marmoush ranks eighth among the most expensive Bundesliga departures – at least for the time being. If the bonus payments come into effect, he would displace Kevin De Bruyne (33) from seventh place, who moved to Manchester in the summer of 2015 for 76 million euros.
Manchester City with a transfer offensive in the winter
De Bruyne is still in third place among Manchester City’s most expensive purchases, Marmoush is in fourth place after his move. The English series champion only paid more money for Josko Gvardiol (22) and Jack Grealish (29). The summer transfer window was quiet by City standards, only Savinho (20) came for a transfer – 25 million euros went to Troyes for the right winger.
In the first half of the season, Pep Guardiola’s team fell well short of expectations and is only in sixth place in the Premier League with 35 points after 21 matchdays. This is also why the series champions are active in the winter transfer window: Marmoush was preceded by the two central defender talents Abdukodir Khusanov (20) and Vitor Reis (19). More could follow, including speculation about a loan from Douglas Luiz (26).
With Marmoush alone, who is the fifth most expensive winter transfer in history, Man City sets a new club record for spending in January. The previous record was 69 million euros from the 2017/18 season, when Aymeric Laporte (30) was signed by Athletic Bilbao for 65 million euros. The English champions are currently spending 152 million euros in January, only Chelsea FC invested more money in the winter of the 2022/23 season.
Unlike in Frankfurt, Man City only plays with one tip in the 4-2-3-1 preferred by Guardiola. Erling Haaland (24), who recently signed a contract until 2034, is there. Marmoush could operate on the left wing or as a hanging point behind the Norwegian. The competition in these positions is strong, but given the poor form of his new teammates and his performances so far this season, he should be in a good starting position.