- Manchester City seeks to secure the signing of Omar Marmoush for 67 million pounds
- Pep Guardiola's team could spend more than £100m in the January transfer market
- Hear It's all starting! Why Manchester United might have to sell Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho
Eintracht Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmoller has cast doubt on Omar Marmoush's £67million move to Manchester City.
The Premier League champions are expected to complete the signing of the Egyptian international, the Bundesliga's second top scorer only behind Harry Kane, with 14 goals in 16 games.
Marmoush has already agreed personal terms and City are negotiating the fee structure before signing the prolific striker.
But reports out of Germany have raised some doubts over the move, first with news from Sky Germany that the 25-year-old is expected to be in his team's starting lineup for the clash against SC Freiburg on Tuesday.
This was followed by comments from Frankfurt boss Toppmoller saying: “It's not out of the question for him to stay here.”
City were originally hoping to land Marmoush for around £40m, but Frankfurt have insisted they want a premium because it is the January window and they need to find a replacement.
Omar Marmoush is in top form this season with Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga
Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmoller raised doubts over £67m move to Manchester City
Pep Guardiola's men seek to reinforce their offensive options and lighten the load on Erling Haaland
The club has been searching for a striker to ease the burden on Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola has admitted they made a mistake by not replacing Julián Álvarez, who joined Atlético Madrid in the summer.
Liverpool and Arsenal had also been monitoring Marmoush, but did not pursue his interest upon discovering Frankfurt's asking price.
City are strengthening their squad to give Guardiola fresh impetus for the second half of the season. Centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov is expected to arrive from Lens early next week after City agreed to pay £33.5m for the Uzbekistan international.
The 20-year-old will sign a four-and-a-half-year contract with the option of one more year. City are also still in negotiations for 18-year-old Brazilian centre-back Vitor Reis from Palmeiras, but the plan is for him to join them after the Club World Cup in July.
Palmeiras are pushing for a £37m deal which would represent a Brazilian record fee for a defender.
City are not done there and remain alert to the possibility of adding another midfielder this month.