What happens when a forward who scored a goal of the season struggles for minutes at the biggest club in England? He became one of the most talked about transfer targets in the Premier League. That is exactly the situation surrounding a potential Marmoush to Tottenham move this summer. The rumour has already split fans and pundits down the middle.
Tottenham are in talks with Manchester City over a deal for Omar Marmoush. Both clubs are progressing their conversations, though nothing has been agreed just yet. Still, the Egypt international could soon become the newest face in Roberto De Zerbi’s rebuilt squad.
This news matters because it lands at a pivotal moment for Tottenham. The north London club’s summer spending is already on track to pass £300m. Consequently, a Marmoush to Tottenham deal would add another significant name to an already busy window. For Spurs fans, it raises a simple question: does this move solve a real problem, or create a new one?
Why a Marmoush to Tottenham Deal Makes Sense
Spurs have not been shy about spending this summer. They have already committed £229.5m to centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke and midfielders Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. On top of that, they have agreed a £75m deal for Manchester City winger Savinho, which strengthens their attacking options even further.
The timing of the Marmoush pursuit is not a coincidence. Tottenham’s attack has struggled with inconsistency over the past year. Forward Dominic Solanke has battled injury problems throughout the last 18 months, and that has limited his availability. Meanwhile, teammate Richarlison has entered the final year of his contract, which adds uncertainty to that position going forward.
Against this backdrop, a fresh attacking option makes sense. Marmoush’s influence at Manchester City has clearly diminished over the past season. Still, the underlying numbers suggest Tottenham would gain a forward whose skill set genuinely differs from what they already have in the squad.
Marmoush’s Transfer Fee and Background Before Tottenham Talks
Marmoush originally joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer from Wolfsburg in May 2023, at 24 years old. His first season in Germany was outstanding, with 17 goals scored across all competitions.
That form continued into the first half of the 2024-25 campaign, when he netted 15 Bundesliga goals from an expected goals figure of 8.9. Nine assists in just 17 league appearances added to the tally. Across all competitions before he left Germany, Marmoush racked up 20 goals and 13 assists in only 26 games.
Set-piece ability was another standout part of his game during this period. He became the first player in Europe’s top five leagues since Lionel Messi in 2019 to score directly from a free-kick in three consecutive competitive matches. That kind of form convinced Manchester City to pay £59m for him in January 2025.
How Marmoush’s Man City Spell Shaped the Tottenham Interest
The early signs at City were genuinely promising. Marmoush scored his first career hat-trick against Newcastle. He then struck the winner in City’s FA Cup quarter-final win at Bournemouth. Later, he added a long-range strike against the same opponents in the Premier League, and pundits judged it the goal of the season.
However, difficult moments followed too. During the 2025 FA Cup final, with City trailing Crystal Palace, Erling Haaland handed Marmoush the ball for a penalty. Dean Henderson saved the effort, and City went on to lose at Wembley.
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha does not believe that single moment should define Marmoush’s time at the club. “When I see Marmoush, I don’t see the penalty miss,” Onuoha told BBC Sport. “I see the strength he has with some of the runs he makes in behind.”
Why His Role Shrank at City Before Tottenham Came Calling
Since arriving from Frankfurt, Marmoush has scored 16 goals in 62 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City. Eight of those goals came in 36 appearances during the 2025-26 season. However, his involvement in the Premier League fell considerably compared to the season before.
He started only eight league games and played around 700 minutes in total, fewer minutes than he managed after joining midway through the previous campaign. His league return of three goals and three assists actually matched expectations, since his expected goals figure of 3.53 sat close to his real output. In other words, finishing was never really the issue.
Instead, Marmoush found himself competing for minutes in a team built entirely around Haaland. Meanwhile, City continued adding more attacking depth throughout the season.
“All the positions Marmoush could play are being filled by people who are specialists in those roles,” Onuoha explained. “Haaland is essentially always going to be the number nine, while City also regularly play with number 10s, and Guardiola likes his wingers to stay wide.”
What Marmoush Would Bring to Tottenham’s Attack
Marmoush operates primarily as a number nine, but his career has rarely confined him to just one role. At Frankfurt, he mostly played through the middle, though he also featured as a second striker and from the left flank. The city used him in a similar way. They deployed him mainly as a central attacker while occasionally shifting him to the wing or into a role just behind another forward.
This kind of flexibility could suit De Zerbi perfectly. His teams have often relied on forwards who change positions, drop toward the ball, and then attack the space left behind when defenders are pulled out of position. Marmoush is comfortable doing exactly that.
Onuoha believes the Egyptian forward is at his most dangerous when threatening the space behind a defence. “As much as he is good at dropping the ball, I think he is better when he plays on the shoulder,” he said. “He needs to be in a team that will constantly play balls in behind and force the opposition to run back towards their own goal. That’s when you see a better version of Marmoush.”
The Stats Behind the Marmoush to Tottenham Hype
Opta’s Premier League data from last season paints a clear picture of what Marmoush offers. He averaged 11.46 runs per 90 minutes. That figure is almost identical to Solanke’s 11.61 and ahead of Richarlison’s 10.03. It alone suggests he would fit Tottenham’s existing attacking patterns without much adjustment.
However, Marmoush offers considerably more with the ball at his feet. He averaged 5.67 progressive carries per 90 minutes, compared with just 3.24 for Solanke and 2.48 for Richarlison. That is a significant gap, and it shows how much more comfortable he is driving forward with possession.
He also led both current Tottenham forwards in several key attacking metrics, recording 3.86 shots per 90 minutes compared to 2.81 for Richarlison and 1.80 for Solanke. Additionally, he created 1.55 chances per game against 0.92 for Richarlison and 0.54 for Solanke.
His combined goals and assists per game stood at 0.77, ahead of Richarlison’s 0.69 and well clear of Solanke’s 0.27. Of course, his limited league minutes at City shrink the sample size. Even so, the overall profile stays clear and consistent.
Marmoush is far more inclined to take on opponents and create shooting chances for himself than either of Tottenham’s current central forwards. That could prove particularly valuable when opponents sit deep and try to deny Spurs space in behind. As Onuoha put it, “Sometimes the fit can simply be better. Marmoush’s ability to run in behind and link the play could be huge assets for Spurs. They won’t be shy about playing those passes into him and forcing opponents on to the back foot.”
Could Marmoush and Solanke Play Together at Tottenham?
A Marmoush to Tottenham move would not necessarily mean replacing Solanke in the starting eleven. His experience playing alongside another central striker opens up the option of using both players together. Solanke could occupy central defenders while Marmoush drifts into wider areas or drops between the lines.
This combination could especially appeal to De Zerbi, since Marmoush can accelerate into spaces that open up when Tottenham break through an opposition press.
“Solanke is different from Marmoush. He’s got more of a physical presence,” Onuoha said. “I could see the goalkeeper playing a flat ball into Solanke, Marmoush coming underneath him to receive it, and that became the start of the attack. The two of them could complement each other. Playing in a front two might bring out more of Marmoush’s strengths.”
Final Verdict:
The Marmoush to Tottenham conversation ultimately comes down to fit rather than talent. Nobody questions his ability. His numbers at Frankfurt and his flashes of brilliance at City prove he can perform at the highest level. The real question is whether a fresh start under De Zerbi, in a system built to use his strengths, could unlock the version of Marmoush that lit up the Bundesliga.
Tottenham’s injury concerns around Solanke and the uncertainty surrounding Richarlison’s contract make a versatile, direct, and progressive forward look like a logical addition. Furthermore, the statistical comparison with Spurs’ current options suggests Marmoush would immediately raise the ceiling of the attack, even if he starts in a squad role.
As talks between the two clubs continue, all eyes will watch whether this deal gets over the line. If it does, Tottenham fans may finally see the forward whose early City performances hinted at genuine world class quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Omar Marmoush actually joining Tottenham?
As of now, talks between Tottenham and Manchester City are progressing, but no agreement has been reached. The deal is not yet confirmed.
2. How much did Manchester City pay for Marmoush?
Manchester City signed Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025 for a fee of £59m (70m euros).
3. Why has Marmoush played fewer minutes at Manchester City?
His game time dropped mainly because City’s attack is built around Erling Haaland, who occupies the central striker role. City also strengthened their squad with more specialists in the wide and number 10 positions, reducing Marmoush’s opportunities.
4. Would Marmoush replace Dominic Solanke at Tottenham?
Not necessarily. Reports suggest Marmoush could play alongside Solanke in a front two, with Solanke holding up play centrally while Marmoush operates from wider areas or drops deeper to link play.
5. What makes Marmoush different from Tottenham’s current forwards?
Statistically, Marmoush offers more progressive carries, shots, and chances created per 90 minutes compared to Solanke and Richarlison. His ability to take on defenders and create his own chances sets him apart from Tottenham’s existing attacking options.nces sets him apart from Tottenham’s existing attacking options.
