Erling Haaland replacement named by Man City after Liverpool transfer collapse
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Daily Express or go back to LFC Live.
12:24, Thu, Sep 3, 2026 Updated: 12:24, Thu, Sep 3, 2026 Finding a back-up to Erling Haaland has proved a thankless task (Image: Getty)Manchester City have reportedly named their replacement for Erling Haaland, having struggled to find a backup for the prolific striker since his arrival at the club. During a month-long absence for Haaland, Marmoush led the line and his goals helped secure City a spot in the Champions League.However, last season, the Egyptian played fewer than 700 minutes in the Premier League after the Africa Cup of Nations, and injuries played their part.
Regardless, Marmoush wanted out, and the ex-Eintracht Frankfurt star secured a move to Tottenham during the great City exodus this summer.As a result, the Etihad Stadium outfit at back at square one.However, The Independent claim that part of the reason why they were so content on letting Marmoush leave without signing a direct replacement (Iliman Ndiaye and Allan both arrived, but are primarily wide forwards) is that Enzo Maresca believes the solution lies in-house.The report suggests City will look to use Antoine Semenyo as the deputy number-nine, should Haaland pick up an injury or require rotation. The winger arrived from Bournemouth in January and has mainly played on the flanks, but did feature centrally during a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in May.Antoine Semenyo will be the Erling Haaland back-up (Image: Getty)It is part of the thinking behind replacing Marmoush with Ndiaye, who isn’t a centre-forward, but can play in any position behind the striker.
And in the event Haaland can’t start for City, it should theoretically free up Semenyo to start there instead.That wasn’t the original plan though, as they had initially earmarked Cody Gakpo, much more adept as a striker, as their No.1 choice this summer. The first assessment for this new-look City team is at home to Coventry City on Saturday.