Man City near transfer agreement for £50m star who has scored 18 goals in just 24 games this season, despite interest from Liverpool and Arsenal

Manchester City are progressing towards an agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt for forward Omar Marmoush.

Mail Sport first revealed City’s interest 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 £50million for a player who can play across the frontline or behind the striker.

City are looking to add two or three signings this window to breathe fresh life into Pep Guardiola’s squad and increase competition.

They want to add another midfielder and a centre back with talks having taken place over Lens’ £35m-rated Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov, 20, and 18-year old Juma Bah of AIK Freetong.

Omar Marmoush has drawn interest from the Premier League after impressing in Germany

Marmoush is second in the Bundesliga goal scoring charts behind only England’s Harry Kane

Pep Guardiola’s side could face competition in the form of rivals Liverpool and Arsenal

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 embark on a busy January transfer window as Guardiola looks to turn the champions’ season around, although the manager 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. 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. 

City are desperate for reinforcements this month having endured a terrible season by their lofty standards

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.

Looking specifically at the situations of Marmoush, Frankfurt are eager to cement a spot in next year’s Champions League. Losing their shining light at this stage would prove a bitter pill.

Fifteen 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.