Manchester City have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt to sign attacker Omar Marmoush.
The 25-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium in the January transfer window and is said to have been identified as a top target by Pep Guardiola's side.
Earlier this week, Frankfurt CEO Markus Krosche confirmed that an unnamed club, believed to be Man City, had made contact over a move for Marmoush, although the Germans were still holding out hope that the versatile forward would remain at Deutsche Bank Park this month.
The Citizens were then alleged to have submitted an official offer on Tuesday, but it fell short of Frankfurt's asking price and was subsequently turned down.
Nevertheless, there has been an expectation that an agreement between both clubs would eventually be reached, with Man City said to have remained 'absolutely confident' of luring Marmoush to the Etihad before the winter window shuts on February 3.
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Man City finalising Marmoush signing from Frankfurt
Frankfurt head coach Dino Toppmoller claimed earlier on Thursday that Marmoush would be in contention to play in Friday's Bundesliga home clash against Borussia Dortmund, telling German reporters: "Omar will play tomorrow under normal circumstances. He's in my plans."
However, RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins claims that the Egypt international is not expected to play against Dortmund, as an agreement with Man City has now been reached.
That report has since been backed up by The Athletic's David Ornstein, who claims that the reigning Premier League champions have reached a verbal agreement with Frankfurt to sign Marmoush.
Meanwhile, journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared his signature 'here we go' post on X, stating that Man City now have a 'deal in place' with Frankfurt to bring Marmoush to the blue side of Manchester after a positive final round of talks.
Marmoush, who had already agreed personal terms with the Citizens, is expected to put pen to paper on a five-year contract at the Etihad.
The fee agreed between Man City and Frankfurt currently remains unknown, but the Bundesliga club have always been holding out for a figure in the region of €80m (£67m).
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Marmoush, Reis, Khusanov on verge of joining Man City
Amidst speculation surrounding his future, Marmoush has remained focused on performing on the pitch for Frankfurt, helping Toppmoller's side climb to third in the Bundesliga table.
After scoring the only goal in a slender 1-0 victory at St Pauli last weekend, Marmoush score one and assisted two more goals as he starred in Frankfurt's 4-1 home win over Freiburg on Tuesday evening.
Frankfurt's No.7 has increased his impressive goal tally in the Bundesliga to 15 for the season, just one behind Bayern Munich's Harry Kane (16) at the top of the German top-flight scoring charts.
In all competitions, Marmoush has contributed with 20 goals and 13 assists in 26 appearances, and he is one of only two players, along with compatriot Mohamed Salah at Liverpool, who has reached double figures for goals and assists in Europe's top-five league.
Marmoush is now expected to follow in the footsteps of centre-backs Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov in undergoing a medical before completing his move to Man City.
The Citizens have already agreed deals to sign Reis from Palmeiras for £29.4m and Khusanov from Lens for £33.5m, and both players have now landed in the UK for their medical tests.
Oliver Thomas
