Liverpool are set to rival Arsenal for the signing of Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong.
Jeremie Frimpong, 23, has been among the best players for Bayer Leverkusen this season, showcasing productivity both defensively and offensively. He has bagged five goals and supplied six assists along the way in 16 league appearances, helping Bayer Leverkusen to the summit of the Bundesliga. Overall, he has 17 goal contributions across 22 appearances so far this campaign.
The Dutchman is among the best-attacking full-backs/wing-backs in the world at this moment in time. He has played exclusively on the right flank in Xabi Alonso’s 3-4-3 formation, catching the eye with his pace, dynamism, work rate, flair and goalscoring ability.
Frimpong’s consistent performances at Bayer Leverkusen have unsurprisingly not gone unnoticed, with Arsenal and Liverpool reportedly among the Premier League clubs monitoring his situation at Bay Arena. Manchester United also remain interested in the player, with Erik ten Hag previously viewing Frimpong as a potential replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Liverpool to battle Arsenal for Jeremie Frimpong’s signature
Liverpool are plotting a move for a new right-back as Jurgen Klopp considers moving Trent Alexander-Arnold into a more permanent midfield role. Alexander-Arnold has thrived in a hybrid role for the Reds this season, frequently joining the midfielders in possession and maintaining his right-back role during defending. The England international has played a key role in Liverpool sitting at the top of the league table, registering two goals and three assists in 18 appearances as well as creating plenty of chances.
Joe Gomez, Alexander-Arnold’s understudy in recent seasons, is a traditional centre-back and has yet to open his account for the club. This makes Jeremie Frimpong a perfect fit for Klopp’s side. The 23-year-old can operate anywhere on the right flank and his arrival could help Liverpool move Alexander-Arnold permanently in midfield.
As for Arsenal, Mikel Arteta is also looking to bolster his full-back options, despite the club only signing Jurrien Timber from Ajax in the summer of 2023. However, Timber, unfortunately, suffered an ACL injury on his Premier League debut and has since been on the sidelines, leaving Arteta to rely on the likes of Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior at full-back.
In that regard, Frimpong’s versatility, energy and productivity could take Arteta’s Arsenal to a new level. The Netherlands international would boost the Gunners’ full-back options whilst adding strength in depth.
Bayer Leverkusen are aware of the growing European interest in Frimpong, anticipating a potential move at the end of this ongoing season. It is understood that the attacking wing-back will be available in the summer through a release clause of around £35 million, despite the player being contracted to the Bundesliga outfit until June 2028.
Perhaps given the rumours of a paltry £35 million release clause in his contract, both Liverpool and Arsenal do not want to lose out on Frimpong.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
