MENA Sports Wrap: Omar Marmoush makes Manchester City move

Omar Marmoush became the most expensive Egyptian player in history following his highly-anticipated move to Manchester City this week, where he said he is seeking to win trophies with the top English club, who have been struggling this season.

Meanwhile, Brazilian superstar Neymar’s future in Saudi Arabia is wearing thin after his coach at Al-Hilal said he will deregister the forward. The forward, who joined the team in 2023 on a mammoth deal, has only played a handful of games since then.

In other sports, Tunisian Ons Jabeur has crashed out of the Australian Open in the third round, as she continues to struggle to find her form again.

Egyptian prince makes City move official

Egyptian footballer Omar Marmoush finally joined Manchester City on Thursday, after much speculation and reporting surrounding his transfer to the English Premier League club.

Marmoush signed from German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee of €70m (£59.1m), plus €5m (£4.2m) in add-ons, making him one of the most expensive African players in history. Marmoush’s contract is four-and-a-half years long.

The 25-year-old is the Manchester club’s third signing of the January transfer window, after Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov from French club Lens, and Brazilian Vitor Reis from Palmeiras.

The 25-year-old will wear the number 7 shirt for the club, previously worn by the likes of Joao Cancelo and Raheem Sterling.

On his signing, Marmoush said: “This is a day I will never forget. To sign for Manchester City is an amazing feeling. I am delighted, my family is so proud. With Pep, his technical staff and the world-class facilities here, players have everything they need to become better. That was really enticing for me when I had the chance to come here.”

Marmoush said it was an “honour” to join the club, and had always “dreamt” of joining a team like City. He added: “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 teammates and I want to become a valued member of this winning team.”

The Egyptian, who scored 37 goals and made 20 assists in 67 games for Eintracht since joining in the summer of 2023, will be looking to bolster Manchester City’s squad, who have been experiencing major struggles so far this season, despite being the 2024 Premier League champions.

Speaking of what he will offer to the club, Marmoush said he is “good on the ball, fast on the pitch and dangerous”.

Neymar deregistered from Saudi club Al-Hilal amid Mo Salah speculation

Neymar has been deregistered from Al Hilal’s Saudi Pro League squad after manager Jorge Jesus said the Brazilian superstar could “no longer perform” at the level the club requires.

The former Barcelona forward signed for the Riyadh club from Paris Saint-Germain in August 2023 for a Saudi record of £86 million.

However, things have not gone to plan for Neymar or Al-Hilal, with him playing a meagre seven times in all competitions since the move, after he suffered an ACL injury in only his fifth match for the club.

The move means Neymar won’t be able to play in Al-Hilal’s matches in the Saudi Pro League, but will still be eligible to play in the Asian Champions League, were the Saudi club next comes up against Iran’s Persepolis on 4 February. 

However, indications are that the player will likely move on from the club, with manager Jorge Jesus giving a candid appraisal of Neymar’s injury-affected limitations.

“Ney will not be registered, but he can participate in the Asian Champions League,” Jesus said in a press conference.

“He’s world-class. But the truth is, physically, Neymar can no longer perform at the level we are used to,” he added. 

Given Jesus’s comments, it’s no surprise that the 32-year-old Brazilian is being heavily linked with a move away from the club, possibly as early as in the current January transfer window. There has been speculation in the US media linking him with a move to MLS side Chicago Fire, while it is also thought that he could return to his first club Santos in Brazil.

Al-Hilal are allegedly putting together a massive move for Liverpool’s Mo Salah as a superstar replacement for Neymar, with the Egyptian seemingly hitting a brick wall in contract negotiations with the Merseyside club.

“Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately,” Jesus said when asked about Neymar’s future at the club.

“He is still under contract with Al-Hilal and it may be up to him to decide his future. It depends on the club, and on the administration.

“The only thing I know is that Neymar is not registered [in the Saudi Pro League]. Until 31 January the [transfer] window is open. So I’m not going to speculate on things I don’t know,” the manager added.

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