ZEKEY MEDIA ONLINE

Melody Pande

The winter transfer window has just opened, and while it typically sees less activity, a few notable players are rumored to be on the move. Omar Marmoush and James Trafford are two young talents who might seek new opportunities during this period.

Marmoush joined Manchester City from Frankfurt with high hopes but has found it challenging to secure a spot in the lineup just a year later. He has only played ten times in the Premier League this season, starting in just two matches. On the other hand, Trafford, who made a return to the team this summer, quickly lost his position to Gianluigi Donnarumma after just three games. Both players are in need of more playing time, leading to speculation about their futures at the club.
Since signing with Manchester City, Marmoush has not performed poorly, yet he has slipped down the order at the Etihad Stadium despite his skill. Last season, he scored seven goals in 16 Premier League matches, including an impressive long-range goal against Bournemouth. However, injuries and tough competition have hindered his progress, with his only goal this season coming in a Carabao Cup match against Swansea. His strong performance at the Africa Cup of Nations showed he still has what it takes, but he’s had limited opportunities to shine at City, totaling only 233 minutes across ten Premier League matches this season. Clubs like Aston Villa and Tottenham are reportedly interested in Marmoush. However, it seems unlikely that Manchester City would let him go during a title-challenge phasr unless he made a strong case, especially with other players like Savinho and Oscar Bobb seen as less essential.
As for Trafford, his much-anticipated return to Manchester City has turned problematic. Initially seen as the future starting goalkeeper, his status shifted dramatically when City signed 2025 Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Donnarumma on the deadline day. His brief appearances have not been ideal; an early-season mistake against Tottenham allowed the opposition to score, contributing to a 2-0 defeat for City. Despite these setbacks, Trafford is still viewed as a promising future England goalkeeper. Reports in early December indicated that he is contemplating a move, and given the challenges in getting playing time at City, pursuing a transfer in January seems like a wise decision. Newcastle are the favourites to sign Trafford as they wanted him in the summer before City upsurged them. It’s reported too that Wolves have expressed an interest in him as well. Let’s wait and see how it ends.