Omar Marmoush Deal Kickstarts Rebuild For Frankfurt

In Omar Marmoush, Eintracht Frankfurt has completed the second transfer for the 2023/24 season. The Egyptian national team forward joins on a free transfer from Bundesliga competitor VfL Wolfsburg. It will likely be just the first piece on what will be a significant restructuring of Frankfurt’s attack in the upcoming summer transfer window.

“In Omar Marmoush, we have signed a player whose abilities will give our attack even greater flexibility,” Eintracht board member for sport Markus Krösche said in a club statement. “Omar has already proven his qualities in the Bundesliga, but at the same time, he still has great potential to develop further. We’re pleased that we were able to bring such an exciting and talented player to Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer.”

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Listed as a center-forward, Marmoush can also play on the left and right in a three-man attack. But more interesting than the Marmoush signing is what that will indicate for Frankfurt’s transfer policy for the rest of the summer.

What is already certain is that successful Frankfurt head coach Oliver Glasner will leave the club following the DFB Pokal final in Berlin against RB Leipzig. Glasner led Frankfurt to the Europa League title this season and through a successful Champions League campaign this season. But results in the Bundesliga and differences between the coach and the board have ultimately meant that the two parties have opted to go their separate paths this summer.

Therefore, filling the Glasner void will be one major task for Krösche. Another is to replace several key players. Attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada and defender Evan N’Dicka are set to leave Die Eintracht on free transfers this summer.

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Recently acquired Willian Pacho will likely fill the N’Dicka void. Marmoush, even though he is a bit of a different player, could help fill the void created by Kamada’s departure.

Kamada and N’Dicka are, however, not the only two players that could potentially leave the club. Frankfurt’s biggest price asset is French forward Randal Kolo Muani. Die Eintracht wants in the region of €100 million ($110 million) for the 24-year-old French national team striker, who the club signed on a free transfer just last summer.

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Kolo Muani has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich but a recent report by the Frankfurter Rundschau suggests that Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain lead the race for the Frankfurt star. According to that report, PSG star Kylian Mbappé has urged his club to sign Kolo Muani this summer.

PSG, according to the report, could cover some of the transfer fee by allowing two of their stars to move to Frankfurt in return. Those two players are center-back El Chadaille Bitshiabu and striker Hugo Ekitike.

The second is currently on loan from Stade Reims and PSG would have to activate his €35 million ($37.5 million) release clause to make the transfer permanent. Furthermore, Ekitike would only go on loan to Frankfurt.

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Nonetheless, signing Ekitike would cover a major need for Frankfurt this upcoming season should Kolo Muani join PSG. The 20-year-old forward was in high demand last season and PSG aside, Bayern Munich was also interested in the forward. But even though Ekitike is talented, the striker needs playing time and Frankfurt has demonstrated that they as a club, are in an excellent position to develop talent.

All of this is still in the future. For now Marmoush is the only official deal when it comes to Frankfurt’s attack. But his arrival will likely be the last and while much will depend on whether Frankfurt can win the Pokal and qualify for the Europa League, Krösche will have a busy summer ahead of him either way.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcastand the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth

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