Omar Marmoush scored twice for Manchester City in a friendly win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday, but manager Enzo Maresca was coy on his future at the club.
The Premier League side beat the Atletico 3-1 in Seoul as the new season approaches, with Jorge Dominguez putting the Spaniards ahead.
Marmoush then scored twice, before Rayan Ait-Nouri netted a third at the death.
With Erling Haaland yet to return to action after the World Cup, Marmoush started up front and took his chance to impress the new City boss.
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However, he remains linked with a move away from the club as his playing time is limited by the presence of Haaland in the squad.
The Egyptian made 21 Premier League appearances last season, but 13 of them were from the substitutes’ bench and he scored just three league goals.
Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have been linked with moves for the 27-year-old and Maresca did not rule out an exit after his goal-scoring heroics against Atletico.
In fact, the Italian spoke of Marmoush in the same manner as James Trafford, the goalkeeper who has left City this summer to sign for Leeds United.
‘The answer has to be similar to the one I answer about James Trafford. Players work every day, they want to play so when they don’t play they are not happy,’ Maresca said, via the Manchester Evening News.
‘Omar did not play a lot last year so his desire is probably to play more minutes. It doesn’t mean that he isn’t going to play more minutes here but it’s also his decision, and to understand his decision in details.’
Marmoush was not speaking like a player itching for a move after the win on Sunday, quickly turning attention to next weekend’s Community Shield, in which he will hope to star as well.
‘I’m enjoying myself a lot. Obviously, as a striker, it gives you confidence, and it gets you going in the flow, and I just had to tap it on the net, and I’d like to thank [Antoine Semenyo, for the assist], of course, and yeah, it just gives me confidence in the preseason. It feels good, next is the Community Shield.
‘We’re trying to learn the new tactics, the patterns, and what the coach demands from us, and I think we’re starting to get the hang of it.
‘Obviously, after 10 years, what Pep did here was unbelievable. It’s not easy after the change, but we’ve done really well, and we’ll go back home and keep going.
‘The summer was amazing. I also got married as well, so I had the best days of my life and it’s amazing to be back.
‘The culture here is so nice. I’d like to thank all the fans for this unbelievable support.
‘I felt the warmth. All of us felt it. The stadium was full today. Their culture is amazing. The food. I love their food, and we had a couple of amazing weeks.’