- Manchester City have endured a difficult first half of the 2024-25 campaign
- Pep Guardiola is hoping to strengthen his squad with additions this month
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Manchester City are progressing in discussions to sign forward Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for around £50million and Lens’s £35m-rated defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Mail Sport first revealed City’s interest in Marmoush in December and the Egypt international is eager for the move to go through to the Premier League champions.
Frankfurt are reluctant sellers, particularly in the winter window, and had hoped to keep hold of the 25-year old who has scored 18 goals in 24 appearances this season.
Liverpool and Arsenal have also been following Marmoush but have not followed up their interest and City are willing to pay around £50m for a player who can play across the frontline or behind the striker.
Mail Sport previously reported City are looking to add two or three signings this window to breathe fresh life into Pep Guardiola’s squad and increase competition after a difficult first half of the season.
The Premier League champions have badly struggled in the absence of Rodri due to injury – and embarked on a disastrous run of one win in 13 games before they picked up back-to-back victories over the festive period.
Man City are progressing in discussions to sign Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush for £50m
Marmoush is second in the Bundesliga goal scoring charts behind only England’s Harry Kane
Pep Guardiola wants to strengthen his squad this month after a difficult first half of the season
Alongside Marmoush, City want to add another midfielder and a centre back with Mail Sport also previously revealing how talks had taken place over Uzbekistan international Khusanov, 20, alongside 18-year old Juma Bah of AIK Freetong.
City have also similarly held talks with Palmeiras as they try to beat Brighton to the signing of 18-year old defender Vitor Reis. The Seagulls have had offers of around £23m rejected for Reis.
Meanwhile, Frankfurt denied any formal approach had been made by City for Marmoush last week but Mail Sport sources understand informal talks are continuing and are expected to reach an agreement over the coming days.
Marmoush is second in the Bundesliga scoring charts to Harry Kane and was a target for Nottingham Forest last summer.
The German side are looking to qualify for the Champions League next season and are currently in third place in the German top-flight.
As such, losing one of their key stars – and the goals he brings – could be a huge blow in that pursuit.
City are expected to be busy this month, although the Spaniard is keen not to let any of his core stars leave the club.
Captain Kyle Walker and goalkeeper Ederson are the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League, while question marks remain over Matheus Nunes and Jack Grealish.
City are also making progress in their discussions to sign Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov
City have similarly held talks with Palmeiras as they try to beat Brighton to defender Vitor Reis
Some players have been linked with an exit, but Guardiola wants to keep his squad together
James McAtee remains a hot property across Europe and Kevin De Bruyne has entered the final six months of his contract.
City, though, want to keep the nucleus of Guardiola’s team together for the time being, adding to that group rather than trading in and out over the next four weeks. Even if a selection of mainstays have underperformed.
Sales would, you suspect, arise as a result of a player making it known that they are desperate to leave and that the money on offer was then deemed appropriate. In that respect, there won’t be much change to City’s operation.
But there is money available to spend – evidenced by healthy accounts published a few weeks ago – and sources told Mail Sport last month that Begiristain and Guardiola were keen to address three or four areas of concern – chiefly central midfield, at the back and a forward.
There is a realisation from the Premier League champions that purchasing the right targets will be no easy feat in the middle of a campaign.
15 of City’s squad have suffered at least one fitness issue this term – Stefan Ortega, Rico Lewis, Ilkay Gundogan, Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva the only five to have remained injury-free.
