Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a loan deal to sign Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush. The move, reported by BBC Sport Football on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, includes an obligation for Tottenham to make the transfer permanent next summer for a total fee of £60 million.
Marmoush, a 27-year-old Egypt international, is scheduled to undergo a medical in the coming days. The permanent fee is structured as a guaranteed £50 million payment plus £10 million in potential add-ons. He joined Manchester City from Eintracht Frankfurt for £59 million in January 2025 but saw his role diminish, particularly last season. He started only eight Premier League games, playing around 700 minutes and contributing three goals and three assists. His expected goals figure for the 2025-26 campaign was 3.53.
Why is Marmoush leaving Manchester City?
Omar Marmoush's departure stems from a lack of consistent starting opportunities at Manchester City. He often played second fiddle to star striker Erling Haaland. His involvement dropped significantly in the 2025-26 season, where he made 36 appearances in all competitions but only eight starts in the league. He was an unused substitute in City's Premier League opener, a 2-1 home win over Bournemouth, and came off the bench in their 3-0 Community Shield defeat by Arsenal. Across his entire City career, he scored 16 goals in 62 appearances.
His flexibility as a forward, capable of playing centrally, on the flank, or just behind another striker, made him an asset but not a regular starter. This search for more minutes aligns with Tottenham's need for attacking depth, especially with Dominic Solanke's injury history over the past 18 months and Richarlison entering the final year of his contract. You can view the current attacking options on our squad page.
What does this mean for Tottenham's spending?
This deal continues an extraordinary spending spree by Tottenham this summer. The loan with obligation for Marmoush brings their total 2026 transfer expenditure beyond £312 million. He follows Brazilian winger Savio, who completed an £85 million move from Manchester City to Tottenham just the day before, on Tuesday, 25 August.
Other major signings include Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, Sandro Tonali from Newcastle, and Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton. The club has also bolstered its squad with free transfers for defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Manager Roberto De Zerbi has been vocal about his ambitions. "I don't feel pressure about the transfer market," De Zerbi said. "If I can, I want to spend more money again without problems, because the other teams don't spend anything different."
Where does Marmoush fit into De Zerbi's plans?
Roberto De Zerbi's tactical system values versatile forwards, and Marmoush's profile appears to be a strong match. Primarily a number nine, he has experience playing across the front line, similar to his roles at Eintracht Frankfurt and Manchester City. This adaptability could be key for Tottenham as they compete on multiple fronts.
The move provides immediate cover and competition for places up front. Tottenham's next challenge is an away trip to face Crystal Palace on 28 August. They currently sit 7th in the Premier League with 3 points from one game, having scored 2 goals and conceded 1. Their recent form shows a win, and a victory at Selhurst Park would boost their early season momentum. Fans can track the team's progress in the standings.
What are the financial details of the transfer?
The financial structure sees Tottenham commit to a significant future payment. The £60 million obligation is broken into a £50 million base fee and £10 million in bonuses. For Manchester City, this represents a small profit on the £59 million they paid Frankfurt less than two years ago.
Eintracht Frankfurt, who sold Marmoush to City, do not have a sell-on clause for this transaction. All payment obligations from City to Frankfurt for the initial 2025 transfer have been fulfilled, with the German club having received their desired guaranteed fee plus bonuses in very few instalments. This clean break simplifies the current deal.
Tottenham's focus now shifts to integrating Marmoush into the squad ahead of a busy period. After the Crystal Palace fixture, their schedule continues with matches you can find on our fixtures list. His arrival adds another expensive piece to De Zerbi's project as the club aims to close the gap on the league's established elite.
