Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Omar Marmoush, a close friend of Mohamed Salah, is reportedly determined to secure a move to England amid links with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.
The 25-year-old was believed to have been on the radar of some Premier League clubs during the summer transfer window, but a move never materialised and he remained at Deutsche Bank Park.
Marmoush has been pulling up trees in the early stages of the 2024-25 season, coming up with three goals and three assists in just four matches for Die Adler across the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal.
After scoring one and setting up another against Hoffenheim at the end of August, the Egypt international helped himself to a brace to propel Frankfurt to a 2-1 win over former club Wolfsburg on Saturday, taking his total for the club to 20 goals and nine assists in 45 games.
Marmoush only joined Frankfurt from Wolfsburg on a free transfer in 2023 and hit the ground running with 12 top-flight goals in his debut season, and his contract is not due to expire for another three seasons.
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Marmoush 'desperate' to join Salah in Premier League
However, the attacker's exploits in Germany have naturally led to claims that he could be Premier League-bound, and according to The Mirror - via the Liverpool Echo - he is dreaming of a move to England.
Nottingham Forest were believed to have been on the cusp of signing Marmoush on transfer deadline day, only for Frankfurt to renege on the terms of his £20m move, which ultimately collapsed.
The 25-year-old's failed move to the City Ground allegedly left him miffed, but he is now being lined up for a January switch to the English top flight, where a few European-competing clubs could come calling.
Liverpool are reportedly among them, and the Reds could have an ace up their sleeve in negotiations thanks to Salah, whom Marmoush has developed a close friendship with since breaking into the Egypt team in 2021.
However, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United could rival the Reds for Marmoush's signature, while Crystal Palace may also make a move if Jean-Philippe Mateta departs either in January or the summer.
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Speaking to the official Bundesliga channels earlier this year, Marmoush labelled Salah a "big brother" as he opened up on what playing alongside the winger is like, saying: "I'm learning everything from Mohamed Salah on and off the pitch.
"It's a great honour to play alongside one of the best players in the world. I always learn from him how to become a professional, both on and off the field. He's like a big brother to me and the other young players.
"He talks to us about sleep, work ethic - everything. I constantly seek his advice and benefit from his vast experience in matches. Playing alongside him is a fantastic feeling."
Where could Marmoush fit in at Liverpool?
A versatile attacker who can feature on either wing and through the middle, Marmoush is most comfortable as a number nine or second striker, but he would have to go through Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez to start in that slot for Liverpool.
Nunez's long-term future has been called into question, though, as the Uruguay international has failed to win over Arne Slot so far and struggled off the bench in Saturday's loss to Nottingham Forest.
If Marmoush's close ally Salah leaves at the end of his contract next summer, the former would be a viable option to succeed him, although Federico Chiesa may have that honour instead.
Ben Knapton
