It’s uncommon {that a} 25-year-old instantly emerges as a £59m signing, virtually from nowhere.
Whereas Omar Marmoush has been a comparatively profitable goalscorer within the German Bundesliga for just a few seasons, he has needed to patiently watch for his large break earlier than being introduced as Manchester Metropolis’ s third January signing on Thursday after a prolific begin to the season.
He arrived in Germany from the Egyptian second division as an 18-year-old, having been noticed by ex-Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs, spending a few seasons within the youth aspect earlier than making his senior debut in Might 2020.
Giggs, then an analyst for Uefa, noticed Marmoush at an under-17s event in Dubai and informed an agent about him, who alerted Pierre Littbarski, head of scouting at Wolfsburg.
“Marmoush was actually quick at the moment, took a number of dangers, was technically robust and did some stunning issues.” Littbarski mentioned later. “He was an uncut diamond.”
Wolfsburg invited Marmoush, 17 on the time, to a trial session and subsequently signed him for the membership’s youth academy.
“Think about this, he goes from Cairo to Wolfsburg – that could be a utterly completely different world,” Littbarski added.
“He simply needed to play. It is a typical avenue footballer. When he comes into such a passing-oriented system, then it isn’t straightforward.”
Again in 2021, the versatile ahead was surplus to necessities and despatched out on mortgage by Wolfsburg.
He had mortgage spells at St Pauli and Stuttgart, solely displaying his skills in spurts however by no means over the course of a full season.
It was the transfer from Wolfsburg to Frankfurt on a free in 2023 that turned Marmoush right into a sought-after striker that has now seen Manchester Metropolis purchase his providers.
Regardless of the intense inflow of money, Frankfurt weren’t completely satisfied when the Blues first contacted them a couple of potential January switch, as a result of Marmoush has develop into their life insurance coverage, repeatedly scoring game-winning objectives proper till the very finish.
Frankfurt can really feel grateful for the 37 objectives and 20 assists which he delivered in 67 video games however, on the similar time, the Egyptian should be grateful to Frankfurt and notably supervisor Dino Toppmoller for bringing out the very best in him.
After a 2-0 win over Dortmund final Friday, Marmoush, who didn’t play within the recreation, mentioned goodbye to the followers after which was celebrated by his team-mates.
A team-mate of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah for his nation, Marmoush has develop into one of many breakout stars in Europe this season with 20 objectives in 26 video games for Frankfurt – 15 within the Bundesliga.
German soccer professional Raphael Honigstein informed BBC Sport: “He’s actually dynamic, a large ahead who can play by way of the center.
“Some individuals have in contrast him to Mohamed Salah, maybe not as tough or as explosive however his ending is unbelievable.”