Brentford owner Matthew Benham owner reveals failed move for Egypt star Omar Marmoush

Owner and bankroller of Premier League outfit, Matthew Benham has disclosed missing out on Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush five years ago.

Marmoush’s rise has been meteoric. After his contract with VfL Wolfsburg ended in 2023, he joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a free transfer, scoring 20 goals and providing 14 assists in just the first half of the season. His performances earned him a €75 million move to Manchester City in January 2025, cementing his status as one of Europe’s most promising forwards.

Speaking at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sports Analytics conference in Sloane, Benham admitted the club had come close to signing Marmoush for free around three years ago, along with several other highly rated players. “There are always deals we regret,” Benham told The Athletic. “We could have signed Izzy for £4 million in 2019, and Marmoush for free about three years ago.”

Benham also reflected on other near-misses for Brentford. He revealed the club was close to signing Luka Modric for €20 million in the summer they were promoted to the Premier League, but the deal proved complicated. Modric eventually joined Chelsea FC in 2023 for a fixed fee of €70 million, though his career was later hit by an anti-doping suspension.

Regarding Michael Ulises, Benham explained that exorbitant agent fees prevented the deal from materializing despite the player being highly rated. Ulises eventually joined Crystal Palace FC in 2021 for £8 million before moving to Bayern Munich in 202.

Benham’s revelations highlight the fine margins in football transfers, where timing, finances, and logistics can prevent clubs from acquiring future stars. For Marmoush, the missed opportunity at Brentford was only a temporary detour on his path to Premier League success, where he now thrives with Manchester City.