Manchester City sign Omar Marmoush as Kyle Walker heads to AC Milan on loan
Manchester City announced the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush on Thursday, alongside the loan departure of Kyle Walker to AC Milan, as the club continues its mid-season rebuild during a challenging campaign.
Egyptian international Marmoush, 25, joins the Premier League champions on a four-and-a-half-year contract for an initial fee of £59 million ($72.6 million), with potential add-ons of £4 million. He becomes City’s third signing of the January transfer window, following the arrivals of defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
Marmoush’s Excitement at Joining City
Marmoush, who scored 37 goals in 67 appearances for Frankfurt, expressed his enthusiasm for working under Pep Guardiola.
“With Pep, his technical staff, and the world-class facilities here, players have everything they need to improve,” Marmoush said. “I also want to win trophies, and City’s winning culture made this move irresistible.”
City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, praised Marmoush’s versatility and attacking prowess.
“He’s an accomplished forward with outstanding pace, awareness, and finishing ability. His versatility across attacking positions is a valuable asset,” Begiristain said.
City’s Struggles and Rebuilding Efforts
Marmoush’s arrival comes amid a turbulent season for City, who are fifth in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool. The club faces the possibility of missing the Champions League knockout stages after a 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. City must beat Club Brugge next week to qualify for the play-off round.
Guardiola’s side has struggled since late October, winning just one of their last 13 matches in all competitions. Injuries, particularly in defense, have compounded their woes.
In addition to Marmoush, City recently secured teenage defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £30 million and Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for £34 million.
Kyle Walker Joins AC Milan
Kyle Walker, 34, has joined AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season after a challenging campaign in which he hasn’t started a game since December 15. Walker’s departure ends a long association with City, where he has been a key figure in recent years.
Future Investments Amid Financial Scrutiny
Despite their struggles, City remains committed to investing in the squad. Last week, they extended Erling Haaland’s contract until 2034, solidifying their future attacking options.
However, the club continues to face scrutiny over alleged financial rule breaches, with an independent commission examining over 100 charges from the Premier League. City have denied any wrongdoing.
As Guardiola aims to revitalize his squad, the addition of Marmoush could provide a much-needed boost to the team’s attacking depth and overall morale.
(Source: AFP)
