Barcelona are considering a move for Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush this summer, with the club reportedly valuing the Egyptian international at between €60-65m, according to The Daily Briefing. The potential transfer comes as Barcelona seek a replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who is expected to depart the club in the coming window.
Barcelona initially identified Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez as a primary target, but the cost of acquiring the Argentinian proved prohibitive. They then turned their attention to Chelsea’s Joao Pedro, however, the Blues are reportedly unwilling to sell and have set a price tag of at least €100m. This has prompted the Catalan side to explore alternative options, leading to renewed interest in Marmoush.
Marmoush joined Manchester City for €75m eighteen months ago but has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under Pep Guardiola. Despite not actively seeking a move, the 27-year-old is said to be open to a transfer should a suitable offer be presented. Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have previously expressed interest in the player.
While Marmoush offers versatility and possesses the ability to link play effectively, his goalscoring record at City is modest, with 16 goals and six assists in 59 appearances. This is a departure from the profiles of both Lewandowski and Pedro, potentially indicating a shift in tactical approach under new manager Hansi Flick, who may favour a more physically imposing number nine.
Barcelona may attempt to negotiate City’s asking price down, given Marmoush’s limited playing time and the significant investment made in his signing. The player still has three years remaining on his contract, providing City with a strong negotiating position. A successful transfer could provide Barcelona with a viable, though perhaps not like-for-like, replacement for Lewandowski and address their need for a central striker.
