Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush handed Barcelona exit route after failed January move | OneFootball

Omar Marmoush has been identified by Barcelona as a potent addition to Hansi Flick’s attacking line this summer, as per a new report.

The 27-year-old joined Manchester City from Eintracht Frankfurt for £59 million last summer in the wake of a personnel crisis in attack and helped the Blues qualify for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League by means of a third-place Premier League finish.

However, the Egypt international struggled for minutes under Pep Guardiola in the first half of the season but has been handed a new lease of life at City since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Manchester City have actively hunted for alternative attacking solutions to Erling Haaland in 2026, with the Norway international being marked out by opposition defenders and undergoing a minor blip in form.

Marmoush has instilled a breath of fresh air into a Manchester City frontline that was struggling for inspiration in January, with Guardiola leaning increasingly on his wide attackers – including January signing Antoine Semenyo – to supplement Haaland’s output in the final third.

The Blues remain in the hunt for silverware on four fronts in the second half of the season as they go head to head with Premier League leaders Arsenal for what would be a fifth league title in six seasons at the Etihad Stadium.

Semenyo has quickly established himself as one of the first names on Manchester City’s teamsheet since joining from Bournemouth for £64 million in January, amassing seven goal contributions in his first 10 appearances in all competitions under Guardiola.

However, the absences of Jeremy Doku and Savinho in recent months have allowed Marmoush to make a mark in the starting XI and after being linked with a transfer away from City in January, the winger is finally looking the part in the Blues’ frontline.

Sport are reporting that Barcelona are eyeing cheaper alternatives to Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez to bolster their attack this summer, with Marmoush’s name attracting strong interest at the Spotify Camp Nou in this respect, as relayed by Sport Witness.

It is not understood that Marmoush is unhappy or unsettled at the Etihad Stadium but the former Eintracht Frankfurt star would want regular playing time in the prime of his career and should Barcelona come knocking on the door, it could give the Manchester City man a decision to make.

Manchester City and Guardiola consider Marmoush part of their plans for the future, though Tottenham, Galatasaray and Aston Villa are also monitoring the forward’s situation at the Etihad Stadium.

City are not expected to be open to offers for Marmoush in the summer but should the attacker express a desire to leave for improved minutes, the club would be willing to let him go for the right price – as is the club’s transfer policy for players who want out.