Frankfurt Says Omar Marmoush Will Probably Leave for Man City and Rests him

Frankfurt's Egyptian forward #07 Omar Marmoush reacts after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
Frankfurt's Egyptian forward #07 Omar Marmoush reacts after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
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Frankfurt Says Omar Marmoush Will Probably Leave for Man City and Rests him

Frankfurt's Egyptian forward #07 Omar Marmoush reacts after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)
Frankfurt's Egyptian forward #07 Omar Marmoush reacts after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany on January 17, 2025. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

Omar Marmoush seemed on the verge of joining Manchester City on Friday as his current club Eintracht Frankfurt confirmed it was in talks with City and said the Egyptian striker would probably leave.
Marmoush was not in the squad as Frankfurt beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the Bundesliga but joined his teammates on the field after the game for an apparent farewell as fans cheered, The Associated Press reported.
“I've said often before that we're in discussions with a club. In the end, it's Manchester City and we've really been in close contact with them for one or two days now,” sporting director Markus Krösche told broadcaster DAZN ahead of the game. A move to City would be a “huge opportunity” for Marmoush, he added.
“We'll see how it develops in the coming hours and perhaps days, but there is now a very high probability that he will be leaving us.”
German broadcaster Sky reported on Friday that any deal for Marmoush could involve a fee of 75 million euros ($77.1 million) and another five million euros ($5.14 million) in possible bonuses.
Marmoush has been among the top scorers in European soccer this season, racking up 15 in 17 games in the Bundesliga, one less than top scorer Harry Kane, and 20 from 26 games across all competitions.
A move to City would continue a rapid rise to stardom for Marmoush, who signed for Frankfurt on a free transfer in 2023 from Wolfsburg, where he’d scored only five goals the season before. His contract with Frankfurt runs through 2027.
Man City on Friday handed its star striker Erling Haaland a contract through to 2034.



Venus Williams Prioritizing Fun as she Returns after 16-month Absence

FILE PHOTO: Mar 19, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Venus Williams (USA) serves against Diana Shnaider (not pictured) on day two of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Mar 19, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Venus Williams (USA) serves against Diana Shnaider (not pictured) on day two of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
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Venus Williams Prioritizing Fun as she Returns after 16-month Absence

FILE PHOTO: Mar 19, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Venus Williams (USA) serves against Diana Shnaider (not pictured) on day two of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Mar 19, 2024; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Venus Williams (USA) serves against Diana Shnaider (not pictured) on day two of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

Former world number one Venus Williams said she was embracing the challenge and joy of tennis after a difficult year marked by health concerns and time away from the court as the 45-year-old prepares for her return at the Washington Open on Monday.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion declined wildcard entries into the tournament in the nation's capital in the past but said she felt up to the challenge this year.

"Most of the time I don't (take up the offer to play as a wildcard)," she said with a laugh on Sunday.

"But this time I had been hitting the ball. And of course I love the game and the hard courts, it's my favorite surface, what I feel comfortable on. So all those different factors."Williams is setting new personal goals, prioritizing enjoyment over results, Reuters reported.

"My personal goal is to have fun and enjoy the moment, not put too much pressure on myself," she said.

"I don't know if I define success at this moment in any sort of way other than believing in myself and sticking to my process. That's not easy to do, especially after a layoff. So those are my goals."

Williams has won the Wimbledon singles title five times and the US Open twice, as well as 14 Grand Slam women's doubles titles alongside her younger sister Serena.

She has not competed since the Miami Open in March 2024 and has not won a match since defeating Russia's Veronika Kudermetova in the first round of the Cincinnati Open in August 2023.

She faces fellow American Peyton Stearns in the first round of the WTA 500 tournament on Monday.

Reflecting on her future in the sport, she remained characteristically private.

"I think I know what I want to do, but I don't always want to talk about it," she said.

"I'm just here for now, and who knows? Maybe there's more. Like I said, I hold my cards close, but at the moment, I'm focused just on this."

Williams also opened up about her health struggles including her surgery last year to remove fibroids - painful but benign tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus.

"My health journey was very scary," she said.

"You know, this time a year ago I was preparing to go to surgery. There was no way for me to play tennis or play the US Open. I was just trying to get healthy."

Known for her powerful game, Williams is determined to stick to her strengths.

"I'm still the same player," she said. "I'm a big hitter... This is my brand. So it's about hitting big and actually putting it in. So this will be my effort - put it in the court. That's my main goal."