Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Manchester City's Omar Marmoush as of late, with Enzo Maresca giving an update on the Egyptian forward
Omar Marmoush smiles
Omar Marmoush has been tipped with a move to Newcastle United(Image: Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca has handed Omar Marmoush a strict ultimatum at Manchester City, amid links with Newcastle United.
The Egyptian only made his way to the Etihad Stadium from Eintracht Frankfurt last January in a £59million move, but has struggled for consistent gametime as a result of Erling Haaland remaining immovable from his position.
The striker has impressed in pre-season under Maresca's stewardship, scoring twice in Seoul to help City secure a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
However, Maresca admitted in the aftermath that Marmoush's future in Greater Manchester remains uncertain.
The head coach, who succeeded Pep Guardiola this summer, said: "The answer has to be similar to the one I answer about James Trafford.
"Players work every day, they want to play so when they don't play they are not happy. Omar did not play a lot last year so his desire is probably to play more minutes.
"It doesn't mean that he isn't going to play more minutes here but it's also his decision, and he needs to decide."
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City have made it crystal clear that they will happily replace any player who is keen to move on this summer.
But with just three weeks remaining until the transfer window slams shut, interested parties would be wise to put the wheels in motion for Marmoush.
While Newcastle are thought to be preparing a potential £55m bid for Marmoush, they will face stiff competition in their pursuit.
Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur are thought to also hold an interest in the 27-year-old, although the Magpies have an advantage in financial stability following a number of high-profile sales this summer.
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The club moved Anthony Gordon on to Barca in a £69m deal at the turn of the summer, before offloading Sandro Tonali to Spurs for £100m.
Bruno Guimaraes, meanwhile, recently joined Arsenal in a £75m transfer, leaving Newcastle with a sizeable war chest to bolster Matthias Jaissle's squad in the coming weeks.
While the club will ultimately have to source a replacement for Guimaraes, United will still have funds left over to bring in Marmoush with a lucrative contract - something they have struggled to offer players over the past couple of seasons.
A lacklustre offensive output from Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade proved problematic for the St James' Park loyal last term, and Marmoush could be exactly what the club are looking for to thrive in the Premier League once more. It all comes down to whether the striker is content playing second string to Haaland, or wants a new challenge elsewhere.