Liverpool may be on the brink of losing some of their homegrown talent this summer. Trent Alexander-Arnold has already announced his exit, and there is likely to be interest in backup goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez.
Premier League clubs are allowed to include a maximum of 17 non-homegrown players in their squads each season. To qualify as homegrown, a player must have spent three years at an English or Welsh club before their 21st birthday.
These players often command a higher price, and Liverpool might need to sign at least one during the summer transfer window. However, the Reds may have found the perfect potential bargain in Jeremie Frimpong.
Despite being Dutch and currently playing in Germany for Bayer Leverkusen, Frimpong would be considered homegrown in the Premier League due to his nine-year stint in the Manchester City academy.
Frimpong moved to England when he was seven and spent the following 12 years in the north-west, including a move to Scottish Premiership side Celtic after nine years in City’s academy.
Now aged 24, Frimpong could help Liverpool meet its homegrown player quota if he were to make the switch to Anfield in the summer. It’s widely reported that he has a $39 million release clause that comes into effect at the end of the season.
(Image: (Image: Getty))
With Xabi Alonso poised to join Real Madrid, Frimpong and other top players at Leverkusen might be enticed to consider their options. The chance to fill Alexander-Arnold’s boots at Liverpool could prove too enticing to resist.
Indeed, The Athletic suggests that Frimpong would be open to a move to Liverpool. If the Premier League champions are looking for a different type of player at right-back following Alexander-Arnold’s exit, they might consider making a move for him.
Frimpong fits the mould of a traditional wing-back. He’s versatile enough to play anywhere down the right flank and has even filled in as a No.10 for Alonso’s Leverkusen. A skilled dribbler with blistering pace, Frimpong is also a solid defender.
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In Liverpool’s 2-2 stalemate with Arsenal, Conor Bradley’s trial run as Alexander-Arnold’s replacement was a mixed bag. The Northern Irish lad had a promising first half, putting in robust challenges and showing initiative on the ball.
However, Bradley found the second half more challenging. If Liverpool decide to look outside their ranks for Alexander-Arnold’s successor, Frimpong could be just the ticket. The fact that he would help the Anfield side meet their homegrown quota is an added perk.
