Aston Villa ‘making a move’ for £59m Man City forward after Tottenham ‘enquiries’

Aston Villa ‘making a move’ for £59m Man City forward after Tottenham ‘enquiries’

Aston Villa are weighing up a January move for Manchester City attacker Omar Marmoush, with sources telling TEAMtalk that Tottenham Hotspur have also made enquiries about the Egypt international.

Marmoush joined City in January 2025 after completing a £59 million switch from Eintracht Frankfurt and is under contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2029.

However, his time in Manchester has yet to fully take off, with the 26-year-old registering nine goals and four assists across 40 appearances in all competitions.

Opportunities have been limited under Pep Guardiola, who has handed Marmoush just two Premier League starts and a single Champions League start this season.

Despite currently being away on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, Villa remain keen to explore a deal this month.

Transfer insider Dean Jones has revealed that Unai Emery’s side are actively considering a move for Marmoush as they look to strengthen their attacking options and maintain their recent momentum.

Tottenham have also sounded out City over the forward’s availability, but sources suggest the champions are reluctant to sanction a mid-season exit. Guardiola is believed to value Marmoush’s versatility and depth, particularly with a packed fixture schedule.

Jones told TEAMtalk: “There are whispers coming out of Egypt that Aston Villa are making a move for Marmoush. It’s an intriguing idea.

Villa have already shown a willingness to revive players like Rashford, Sancho and Elliott, so it’s easy to see why they might feel Marmoush could be next.

“His minutes at City haven’t matched expectations, and we’ve reported that Villa want another attacking option to help sustain their form. But City have made it clear they don’t want to lose him.

That stance was already communicated when Tottenham made enquiries, so it’s hard to see them being open to a move to Villa, who pose an even bigger challenge this season.”

Tottenham’s interest in Marmoush dates back to December, when TEAMtalk’s Fraser Fletcher reported that Spurs were monitoring him as a possible alternative to Antoine Semenyo. With Semenyo now closing in on a move to Manchester City, speculation has grown over whether Marmoush could be allowed to leave.

The forward’s ability to operate as a striker, attacking midfielder or winger adds to his appeal, but Guardiola is still expected to block any departure, viewing him as a key rotation option.

Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan has also backed Marmoush to remain in England, insisting the player would be an asset to any Premier League side.

“Marmoush would be an asset for any team in the Premier League, and I hope he stays there,” Hassan told Asharq. “He has an agent who will sit down with him to discuss his future.”