Manchester City are reportedly closing in on a double swoop for Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush and Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis.
After a wretched loss in form across the Premier League and the Champions League, the Cityzens have been spurred into transfer action this month. Injuries to all the centre-backs at different junctures have affected them largely at the back, while trying to fill the gap left by Julian Alvarez in the summer. This has led the English champions to identify the aforementioned targets.
According to a report from the Guardian, Manchester City have verbally agreed a fee with Eintracht Frankfurt for the transfer of Omar Marmoush. Agreeing a fee with Frankfurt has proved to be a lengthy process for Man City, with the Bundesliga club demanding more than €60m during negotiations.
Marmoush has been on fire this season, netting an impressive 20 goals in 26 matches across all competitions for Frankfurt—of which 15 have come in the Bundesliga which is just one less than the league’s top scorer, Harry Kane.
Meanwhile, reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims on X that Vitor Reis is now set to sign with Man City in a €35 million deal from Brazilian side Palmeiras. The defender is travelling to Manchester from Brazil to undergo medical before signing his contract with City.
Should the transfer be completed, the fee would be a Brazilian league record for a defender, surpassing the €20m transfer that Paris Saint-Germain spent on Lucas Beraldo’s move from Sao Paulo in 2023.
With City on the brink of signing both Marmoush and Reis, let us take a look at the potential XI with their imminent new signings in the side.
Predicted Man City lineup with Marmoush and Reis (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Ederson has not been in the best form this season, leading to him being dropped and replaced by Stefan Ortega in goal.
Defence
Persistent injuries to their defenders have significantly hurt Man City, with none of Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji managing to keep themselves fit.
At this moment, Pep Guardiola has Ake and Akanji fit, and the potential arrival of Reis would see him challenge the duo for a spot in the XI. Right-footed, the Brazilian may replace Akanji to maintain balance in the team and complement Ake.
Meanwhile, Josko Gvardiol and Rico Lewis should act as the full-backs, with veteran Kyle Walker recently handing in a transfer request to leave City.
Midfield
To compensate for the lack of a ball progressor in Rodri’s injury absence, Bernardo Silva has often acted in a deeper midfield role. The Portuguese has been partnered by Mateo Kovacic, who has had another injury-hit season in the Premier League.
Kevin de Bruyne looks to be past his best, lacking the thrust, energy and guile with which he ran the show for City during his yesteryear. Marmoush is potentially De Bruyne’s replacement at the Etihad Stadium. The Egyptian will boost Guardiola’s misfiring squad, adding goals, creativity, versatility and flair.
Attack
Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden should be the wide forwards, providing service to Erling Haaland in the box. Fresh from committing his future at the Etihad Stadium by signing a bumper nine-and-a-half-year contract, there are no doubts about Haaland being City’s present and future No.9.
