Manager shows big faith in 'unbelievable' Tottenham transfer 'target' amid exit links
One of Tottenham’s reported transfer targets was handed a start at his current club.
One reported Tottenham target has been shown real faith by his current boss amid transfer links. Spurs were in Champions League action themselves on Wednesday, beating Eintracht Frankfurt to progress to the next round without the need for a play-off.
The Champions League has been the only real positive for Tottenham this season, offering a respite from a hugely disappointing Premier League campaign. In fact, you dread to think what position Thomas Frank would be in if Tottenham’s form in Europe matched their domestic efforts.
But that has not been the case, and however unlikely, a route to silverware remains open for now. In the meantime, Spurs are looking for new recruits, hoping to strengthen in the wake of injuries aplenty, including lengthy absences for Richarlison, Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus and Rodrigo Bentancur.
Spurs have been working on a deal to sign Liverpool defender Andy Robertson, but they will also be prioritising moves for a forward this month, with the sale of Brennan Johnson and the injuries creating a glaring need in the front line. The return of Dejan Kulusevski from a lengthy injury in a couple of weeks or so will help, but Spurs need a new signing at the top of the pitch.
One player Spurs have been linked with regularly during this window is Manchester City star Omar Marmoush, who has started only twice in the Premier League this season. Marmoush was crucial in City’s turnaround last season, but he has struggled for appearances with Erling Haaland leading the line.
The arrival of Antoine Semenyo should have, on paper, meant even less game time for Marmoush, but Pep Guardiola seems determined to show the Egyptian how much he trusts him amid those transfer links with Tottenham and others.
Marmoush was started in the striker role against Wolves last weekend despite Semenyo playing, and he scored, earning another run-out in the Champions League. Marmoush started again against Galatasaray, and that was despite Haaland coming back. The Egypt international played in an attacking midfield role. Semenyo was absent, but it’s unlikely the new signing would have played in that position anyway.
It will be interesting to see what impact the recent appearances have on a potential transfer, but it’s not clear that City would even consider a deal this month, likely requiring a big offer having signed Marmoush for a reported £59million last January.
Guardiola praise
It will come as no surprise that Guardiola has been full of praise for Marmoush, saying after the win over Wolves: “Last season when he arrived for three months he was unbelievable; without him it would not be possible to qualify for the Champions League and reach the FA Cup final.
“He’s a special player, not old ,not young but he has margin to improve. His dynamic energy and runs are really good. I see him more as a striker not a proper winger. He’s a guy for transition actions. I am so happy for him. He arrived clean after AFCON, and I am so pleased for him.”