Omar Marmoush: Why Man City have spent £59m on Eintracht Frankfurt's 'new Mohamed Salah' after he threatened to beat Harry Kane to the Bundesliga Golden Boot

Born in Cairo on February 7, 1999, Marmoush joined local side Wadi Degla as a youngster. A relatively modest club on the outskirts of the Egyptian capital, he was able to quietly go about his development, despite the team's minor affiliation with Arsenal threatening to expose his budding promise. Such was his talent that he played an age-group up for much of his youth career.

At the age of 18, Marmoush was handed his senior debut for Wadi Degla in an Egyptian Premier League match with Al Ittihad Alexandria in July 2016, coming off the bench to grab an assist in a 3-2 win. He played and matured under Egypt legend Mido, who took an immediate shine to the youngster and afforded him more first-team opportunities.

And that's when the European clubs began to circle. Marmoush received offers from Borussia Dortmund and Malaga, but instead opted to join Wolfsburg in 2017, later citing star striker Mario Gomez and Freddie Ljungberg - who enjoyed a brief coaching spell at the Volkswagen Arena - as major influences on his decision.

Not yet fully polished, Marmoush spent three years in Wolfsburg's reserve team honing his craft before making a smattering of senior appearances. In 2020, he was sent on a season-long loan to St Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga, where a return of seven goals in 21 games signalled he was finally ready for top-flight football.

Wolfsburg recognised Marmoush's potential, but wanted him to test the Bundesliga waters elsewhere before returning to don their garish green colours. "Over the past year, Omar has come on in leaps and bounds with good performances in the U23s, and that has seen him dip his toes into the Bundesliga and with the senior squad. Now he needs to gradually get used to playing at Bundesliga level, so that he can take it to the next step," ex-Wolfsburg director Marcel Schafer said at the time.

Another loan, this time to Stuttgart, followed for 2021-22, though the conditions were hardly ideal for him to truly flourish - the season was spent battling relegation and a 15th-placed finish surmised the club's struggles.

Despite Stuttgart's troublesome slide, injury problems and time away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Marmoush caught the eye with performances primarily from the left wing. There was a dynamism and explosiveness that made him perfect for Bundesliga football. At long last, it seemed he was ready for Wolfsburg.

That's why it came as a disappointment when, despite missing only one league match all season and playing largely as a centre-forward, Marmoush returned only five goals. Wolfsburg decided to cut ties and let Marmoush walk away for free at the end of his contract, with Eintracht stepping forward to afford him a fresh lease of life. And boy have they not had a single regret since...

Marmoush is now firmly among the Bundesliga's best forwards, no question about it. After joining Eintracht for 2023-24, he managed to match his career-best season tally of seven goals and three assists in only 14 games, and he ended the campaign with a mightily-impressive return of 16 goals and six assists in all competitions.

Mido, still monitoring one of his favourite footballing sons from afar, took to social media to plead with his former club Tottenham to sign Marmoush, comparing this recommendation to a prior one over Salah which fell on deaf Spurs ears. Other European giants were touted with an interest, notably United and Liverpool, but he remained at Deutsche Bank Park.

"The goals I scored and my performances during the season were not by chance," Marmoush said in July. "I worked hard for all of this. Here at the club, you get great support and the best help to develop your talent. I have a very good feeling towards my team. It seems to me like a family, and this is the way we have to deal with our matches later."

Eintracht must be thanking the heavens that they were able to keep hold of Marmoush with such little fuss having started the season in incredible form. He leaves the club having already clocked up 20 goals and 14 assists in just 26 matches. In the Bundesliga, only Harry Kane has bettered his return of 15 goals at this stage.

There aren't many players in Europe who are in better form than Marmoush at the moment, so what is it that makes him special?

The lazy comparison is to say Marmoush plays like Salah because they share a nationality, but the two do share some similarities. It is Marmoush's pace that is perhaps most distinguishable feature, though he does love sitting a defender or goalkeeper on their backside before firing home in a similar vein to Liverpool's current 'Egyptian King'. When in stride, he's almost impossible to stop.

But unlike Salah, Marmoush's quickness is a little more immediate and allows him to pose a threat on either flank as well as through the middle, while he is a little more selfless in his pursuit of wins.

"If there is a 30 percent chance that I will score a goal and my team-mate has a better chance and is in a better position, then I will pass the ball so that we can score a goal as a team, not just Omar," Marmoush has previously commented.

Eintracht boss Dino Toppmoller said of his star attacker: "He's responsible for producing danger up front, firing in goals and setting up others. He's very difficult to defend due to his pace and how fast he can run in deep. He can also sneak in from close range, take a great touch and play some great passes. He's in outstanding form at the moment, and he's feeling comfortable. That's the key to his success these days."

It should also be noted that Marmoush is an intense and aggressive presser, which is becoming the norm among football's leading stars. He isn't afraid to do that dirty work.

The most valid criticism that can be levelled at Marmoush is we perhaps needs to see a lengthier body of work before decreeing he can be the saviour for City. His talent and ability are now obviously popping off the screen, but it wouldn't have hurt him to put together another whole season of goals before taking that next step.

As is usually the case with Bundesliga forwards, there are questions over how Marmoush would adapt to playing in a league where defences don't play as high or as open, though this could be countered with his precise change-of-pace dribbling.

Standing at six foot, Marmoush also doesn't make the most of his height anywhere near as much as his speed. Very few of his goals are headers and he averages fewer than one successful aerial duel a game, which is a pretty shocking number for a centre-forward, where he has played most often this season.

In joining City, Marmoush is arriving at a club in transition, and with major obstacles to overcome if he is to force his way into the line up. Erling Haaland feels like an immovable presence at centre-forward, especially given the 10-year contract he signed a week ago, while the likes of Foden, Grealish, Savinho and Jeremy Doku provide strong competition for a place out wide.

But having signed a four-and-a-half year deal at the Etihad, Marmoush has time on his side to make an impact.

“To sign for Manchester City – one of the best teams in the world – is an amazing feeling. I am delighted, my family are so proud, and we are all very happy to be here in Manchester," he said.With Pep [Guardiola], his technical staff and the world-class facilities here, players have everything they need to improve. That was really enticing for me when I had the chance to come here.

“And I cannot deny I also want to win trophies. City have been the most successful club in England for many, many years, so I know I am joining a winning environment and winning culture. I want to learn from the staff and my team-mates, and I want to become a valued member of this winning team."

City look a long way from that winning team right now, but the addition of Marmoush could be just what they need to get back on track.