Man City suffer transfer blow as €80m asking price set for Bundesliga star
- Omar Marmoush is a key target for Man City
- Eintracht Frankfurt sporting director demanding "something extraordinary"
- Pep Guardiola has asked for reinforcements in January
Eintracht Frankfurt are reportedly demanding €80m (£67m) for their prolific forward Omar Marmoush, who has emerged as a key transfer target for Manchester City.
The Egypt international was initially on the radar of Liverpool after racking up 13 goals and eight assists across 15 Bundesliga appearances before the winter break. However, Pep Guardiola's out-of-sorts City are intent on making reinforcements across all areas of the pitch in order to salvage their derailed season.
Marmoush was thought to be available for around £40m, but Sky Sport Germany now report that Frankfurt will demand as much as £67m, with any fee below that figure considered derisory.
Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche confirmed the club's stance regarding any interest in their star players during the winter window.
"Our basic intention is to keep the squad together," Krosche told Kicker this week. "Something extraordinary would have to happen for us to move away from this position."
The player himself has done his best to downplay the rampant speculation, insisting that he is "not thinking about a transfer". "I am living in the here and now and enjoying my time in Frankfurt," Marmoush added.
There is thought to be no buyout clause in Marmoush's contract and negotiations between City and Frankfurt are yet to even begin aside from confirmation of the Premier League club's interest.
Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala is another player City are interested in. While the 21-year-old is unlikely to be on the move this month, he has reportedly demanded a buyout clause be inserted in any future contract he signs for Bayern - giving City and any other suitor a fixed price to target.
Guardiola's side have already progressed in talks this month with the centre-back duo of Palmeiras teenager Vitor Reis and Lens' young talent Abdukodir Khusanov in a double swoop worth as much as €80m.
City are in a financially healthy position after making a profit of almost £100m in last summer's transfer window. However, whether they will be willing to meet Frankfurt's steep asking price for a player who has only once before scored more than five top-flight goals in a single season, remains to be seen.
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