18-goal Arsenal and Liverpool target makes future claim as Aston Villa star expects offers

In-form Bundesliga striker Omar Marmoush has opened up on speculation he is set for a move to the Premier League.

The 35-times capped Egypt international has scored 18 goals and provided 12 assists in just 24 appearances in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt so far this season and has played a key role in their bid to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. However, recent reports have suggested contract talks between the striker and the Bundesliga outfit have not progressed as expected and there have been claims the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are all monitoring the situation.

Marmoush moved to quell such talk in a recent interview and stated he is ‘not thinking about a transfer’ at this point in time and is ‘enjoying his time in Frankfurt’.

He told German news outlet TZ: “What I can promise the fans is that I will give my all for Eintracht in every game. I am not thinking about a transfer. I am living in the here and now and enjoying my time in Frankfurt.”

The 3AM Verdict: “There is no surprise Marmoush has been at the heart of transfer speculation in recent weeks after his fine form for his club. With contract talks said to be ongoing and talk of a move away continuing to dominate the headlines, his comments should probably be taken with a pinch of salt.”

Villa star’s agent ‘wouldn’t be surprise’ by interest

Jaden Philogene’s return to Aston Villa may not have gone quite as expected.

After initially leaving Villa Park to join Hull City in a cut-price deal in September 2023, the talented winger scored 12 goals and provided six assists in 32 appearances for the Tigers and that persuaded his former club to trigger a clause in his deal that would see him become a permanent member of Unai Emery’s squad once again.

The seven-times capped England Under-21 international has made just five starts in all competitions for Villa so far this season and just two of them have come in the Premier League. Recent speculation has suggested a loan move could be on the agenda in the January transfer window and Turkish giants Fenerbahce were named as one potential suitor. Philogene’s agent, Ivo Camacho, discussed the transfer talk with the Turkish media in recent days and confirmed his client is yet to receive any offer.

“We haven’t received a direct official offer yet,” Camacho told Sabah Spor. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there is an interest in this regard.”

The 3AM Verdict: “There was much excitement when Philogene returned to Villa during the summer on the back of a fine season with Hull. With competition for places increasing, it now seems likely a loan move could well benefit the winger and kickstart his career after a slow re-introduction to life at Villa Park.”

Club official assesses Forest snub

Nottingham Forest are enjoyed a remarkable season and are heading into the new year with high hopes of securing European football for the first time in almost 30 years.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have enjoyed an outstanding first half to the season and will hope to continue to mix it with the title contenders over the coming months. The form of Chris Wood has provided the inspiration for a season that few expected - and the New Zealand striker could have had some competition at the top end of the pitch during the campaign had Forest been able to pull of an ambitious deal.

Feyenoord’s Mexico international Santiago Gimenez was given permission to talk to Forest after a deal was agreed between the two clubs - but the Eredivisie side’s director of football Dennis te Kloese has now opened up on why the deal fell through.

He told De Telegraaf’s Kick-Off podcast: “Gimenez was able to go to Nottingham in the summer. We had given him permission to have discussions with Nottingham. And with another club too, by the way. But he didn’t get a very warm feeling about it either. It was brought to him, like you are an addition to the selection. It is more fun for such a boy when they say: you are the number one. Then he started to doubt himself a bit. I said: you are in here. In any case, always number one. And if you are top fit and start playing well again – after all, the second half of the season was a bit less – clubs will come again and we will help you with that too.”

The 3AM Verdict: “Gimenez would have been an outstanding addition to the Forest squad had they been able to pull of the deal. With 59 goals and 14 assists in 100 appearances for Feyenoord, the striker has proven himself in the Eredivisie and now looks ready for a move to one of European football’s top leagues.”