Kolo Toure confirmed yesterday that Omar Marmoush, as well as Rayan Ait-Nouri, will play their final match for Manchester City on Sunday against Crystal Palace before heading off on international duty. The pair have been selected by Egypt and Algeria in their squads for the upcoming African Cup of Nations. If Egypt or Algeria progress to the final or third-place playoff of the competition they could be unavailable for City until January 17 or 18. In the case of Omar Marmoush, his absence leaves a hole in Manchester City’s attack.
Omar Marmoush has only been a bit-part player for Manchester City this season. But the role as Erling Haaland’s backup is a key one in Pep Guardiola’s squad. If Haaland goes down with an injury City do need a player who can fill the void his absence would create. The January transfer window is just around the corner and there is merit to the idea of City signing another attacking player to cover Omar Marmoush’s absence and potentially add a new dynamic to Manchester City’s play.
Is it only a matter of time before Manchester City move for another attacking player?
Manchester City look to be an attacking player short at this stage.
Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem for Manchester City so far this season. Any team with Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku in their starting lineup is certain to score goals. That isn’t an issue. Manchester City’s attacking options outside of those four players are seemingly an issue. Omar Marmoush hasn’t been a prominent player for City this season. A knee injury has curtailed his influence. He is also set to be unavailable for possibly over a month for City after tomorrow’s match against Crystal Palace. Savinho and Oscar Bobb lack consistency. The pair haven’t had the influence they and Pep Guardiola would’ve liked this season.
It seems to be a stretch for Manchester City to rely so heavily on Haaland, Foden, Cherki and Doku over the next month. There is merit for City signing another attacking player early in the January transfer window. This would offset the loss of Omar Marmoush and add more attacking quality to the City squad. Antoine Semenyo has been heavily linked with City and has a release clause that can be activated on January 1st. He could be the player Manchester City moves for to fill a hole in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Antoine Semenyo could fill a hole in the City squad and add something different to Manchester City’s attack.
Antoine Semenyo would offer something completely different to any of Manchester City’s other attacking options. Semenyo is a powerhouse on either wing. He is also capable of playing up front if Erling Haaland needed a break. The Ghana international is a key player for Bournemouth and is one of the most dangerous attacking players in the Premier League. His speed, power, and ability to shoot on either foot could be of immense value to Pep Guardiola’s side. He does seem to be the first option for Manchester City to pursue if they want to sign an attacking player early in next month’s transfer window.
CaughtOffside has reported that Manchester City, alongside Liverpool have agreed on personal terms with Antoine Semenyo. Furthermore, the CaughtOffside report indicates that Semenyo now has a choice to make between City and Liverpool. Semenyo’s £65 million release clause is set to expire on January 10th as per the CaughtOffside report. So if he chooses City as his destination it is a move that could come together quickly.
Summary.
Manchester City could benefit from signing another attacking player in January. They do look to be one attacking player short despite the amount of goals Pep Guardiola’s side has scored this season. If they could sign another attacking player early in the January transfer window that would be ideal. Antoine Semenyo is a player who fits that particular bill given the circumstances surrounding his release clause in his contract with Bournemouth. Manchester City moving for Antoine Semenyo makes sense now it remains to be seen if it is a move they can pull off next month.