Arsenal have contacted Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush concerning a January transfer move in the most concrete way possible, but he wants to join Manchester City, according to Sky Sports Switzerland.
The Gunners want to strengthen their attacking ranks at the Emirates Stadium club, and they had anticipated competition from the Etihad Stadium club for the Egypt international.
Despite the efforts from Arsenal to land Marmoush, the Bundesliga star has told Man City in a recent meeting that he only wants to join them should he leave Germany.
With 18 goals and 12 assists in 24 games so far this term after ending last term with 17 goals and six assists, the 25-year-old has rightly attracted the biggest clubs in Europe, but it is the reigning Premier League champions who have pipped others to his services, and they are ready to hand him a five-year deal.
However, Man City are not moving for the Frankfurt star this January, which could give others a chance of snapping up the €60 million-rated forward.
Apart from Arsenal and Pep Guardiola, Liverpool are also keen on Marmoush and could move for him should Mohamed Salah leave as a free agent at the end of the season.
Other suitors could look to make a serious bid for him this month, but they may need to break the bank to have a chance of getting him, and whether Arsenal plan to do so remains to be seen.
The North London club could do with such a forward within their ranks following a long-term injury to Bukayo Saka, but they are not expected to splash the cash this window.
They could be open to loan options and are reportedly eyeing doing a temporary deal for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson.
Man City are also hoping to bolster their attack after losing Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid in the summer, and they need to make additions to their ranks if they want to finish in the top-four.
