FOOTBALL

Omar Marmoush to Manchester City: An Unexpected Twist?

For the main culprits, the January transfer in the Premier League has very much been a humdrum affair; let’s be positive, not as exciting as a cup of cold tea. And for the most part, this one has been… meh until Omar happened. Past windows have seen blockbuster signings, hijack deals and other managers scrambling like contestants in a supermarket sweep.

Then, with nothing happening, it seemed, Manchester City came in for Liverpool target Omar Marmoush. At least Mo Salah’s contract saga isn’t something to talk about in the realms of football, and, while it wasn’t quite a jawdropping moment, it did at least provide the football fan with a talking point beyond the Egyptian’s drama. However, Liverpool have not made any major additions to its squad before engaging in Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander Arnold.

However, one player linked long and loud with Liverpool after Alexander-Arnold is Jeremie Frimpong, who very recently inked a major new deal with his club.

Jeremie Frimpong Signs a Huge New Balance Deal

The surprise element comes from the fact that American sportswear giant New Balance has reached a new deal worth £20m with Bayer Leverkusen teenager Jeremie Frimpong for a shock. Yes, you read that right. Now, the same New Balance that previously had Liverpool’s kit deal has Frimpong in their elite athlete lineup.

The Daily Mail describes this deal as putting him in the same league as Erling Haaland (Nike) and Lionel Messi (Adidas), or indie band, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. That’s some high-level marketing confidence, but there’s serious potential with Frimpong.

Last season, the Dutchman was in the Bundesliga winning side at Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso. In the flesh, however, if he has been pushing forward more this season, it has been at full back or playing as a right winger. While his finishing boots have lain off (just two), his creative spark is in full flow (nine assists through all competitions).

The big question now is whether Liverpool will still go in for him.

Omar Marmoush to Man City: What Does It Mean?

Returning back to the only real January transfer headline: Manchester City signing Omar Marmoush. Pep Guardiola’s side made their move first, and Liverpool was also in the race.

It is not earth shattering that City has bought Marmoush, but they stockpile talent like a doomsday prepper got canned food. It will be interesting to see whether he arrives to provide depth or genuinely challenge for a place.

As for Liverpool, missing out on Marmoush may not be too big of a loss considering they are focusing on internal contract renewals. But it does show they are not trying to spend any money, which may signify any deal for Frimpong—be that this window or the summer—will also take place over the course of the campaign.

Liverpool and Frimpong: A Transfer in the Making?

Liverpool’s interest in Frimpong is not a new one. In fact, the director’s box invited his agent to Anfield when Leverkusen visited during a Champions League fixture. It’s football’s equivalent to buying someone home to meet the parents.

But new head coach Arne Slot is not the perfect place for Frimpong’s current hybrid role. In attacking right back roles, he’s been playing between an attacked right back and a pure winger at Leverkusen. Slot goes for a more supportive fullback combined with dynamic wingers instead of these fluid hybrid roles.

My Take on This Window and Omar Marmoush

Being a football fan, I had hoped for more breath of story from this January transfer window. It hasn’t really felt like a transfer deadline period fuller of heavy hitters than usual. There were no big money moves, no dramatic deadline day sagas, no rate Chelsea likes to do, whereby we can spend £100m because we can.

As it stands, Omar Marmoush to City is an intriguing move, while Frimpong’s huge sponsorship deal could suggest he already has a huge future in the spotlight to come. If Liverpool showed interest in him, they should wait not a second too long; otherwise, some other team (Baller, hello Manchester United) will go in.

For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:



Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

To Top