Barcelona linked with shock move for Man City’s Omar Marmoush as alternative to Julian Alvarez

Barcelona have unexpectedly entered the race for Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush, positioning the Egyptian international as a fallback option should their pursuit of Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez fail, according to a report in Diario Sport.

With Deco and the club’s recruitment staff increasingly resigned to the difficulty of luring Álvico from the Metropolitano, the Catalans have widened their attacking shortlist and alighted on Marmoush, whom they monitored closely prior to his €75 million switch from Eintracht Frankfurt to the Etihad.

Sources close to the negotiation say the 25-year-old’s mobility, technical quality and capacity to both knit possession and finish moves make him an ideal fit for Hansi Flick’s fluid front line, while his versatility across the forward three offers tactical flexibility Barça crave as they reshape the squad.

City are open to sanctioning an exit should an attractive offer materialise, and Camp Nou bosses believe a deal can be struck well below the original outlay they sanctioned last summer, particularly if Robert Lewandowski’s departure frees salary space and transfer funds.

Deco has already initiated contact with Marmoush’s representatives, laying groundwork for what would represent one of the window’s more surprising moves should talks accelerate.