Aston Villa are extremely keen on beating Tottenham Hotspur to a £59m forward who has found game time hard to come by this season.
Spurs have reportedly identified seven wingers and forwards as interchangeable targets for January, with the Lilywhites prepared to be flexible in their approach.
One of those is a Manchester City man, who arrived in a £59m from the Bundesliga 12 months ago, but has only started two Premier League matches this season.
Tottenham are expected to test the waters for Omar Marmoush, but it emerged a couple of days ago that the Spurs target’s situation is also being watched closely by Villa.
Unai Emery keen on beating Tottenham to Omar Marmoush
CaughtOffside have now claimed that Villa’s interest in Marmoush is serious, with Emery being a big fan of the 26-year-old.
Emery wants the Midlands club to ‘act decisively ‘ in January for the former Eintracht Frankfurt man rather than waiting until the summer.
He views Marmoush as someone who could make an immediate impact at Villa Park during the second half of the season.
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The versatile forward is currently away at the African Cup of Nations, with Egypt set to take on the Ivory Coast in the quarterfinal this Saturday.
Janaury deal for Marmoush would be difficult for Spurs and Villa
CaughtOffside say that Pep Guardiola is extremely reluctant to sanction the sale of the 26-year-old this month.
The Man City boss views Marmoush as an ‘important component’ of City’s attacking rotation, and he values the forward’s ability to cover multiple positions across the frontline.
It is explained that Villa are hoping that the City star pushes for a move this month in favour of a more prominent role elsewhere.