Liverpool are advancing in talks to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, with an increasing confidence from the player’s camp that a deal for him to move to Anfield will be struck.
Frimpong is keen on joining Liverpool so personal terms are not an issue, while the 24-year-old right-back’s release clause in the region of €35million (£29.6m;$39.3m) appeals to the Premier League champions.
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Leverkusen are aware of the situation, which they and Netherlands international Frimpong expect to be resolved swiftly once the Bundesliga season has been concluded on Saturday.
The Athletic reported earlier this week that Liverpool were lining up a move for Frimpong as they prepare for next season without Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Frimpong has emerged as one of the most in-demand right-backs in Europe, contributing 14 goals and 12 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions last season as he helped Leverkusen go unbeaten to clinch the Bundesliga title.
He extended his contract with Leverkusen until 2028 in October 2023 but looks set to depart the Bundesliga club this summer.
Since his 2021 move from Celtic, Frimpong has earned praise for his dynamic attacking style, and the club’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, emphasised his importance following the contract extension, calling him “one of the best players” in the league in his position.
This season, the Dutchman has made 48 appearances for Xabi Alonso’s side, scoring five goals and adding 12 assists. Though he has been capped 12 times by the Netherlands since making his senior debut in 2023, Frimpong counts as ‘homegrown’ in England due his time spent in the Manchester City academy as a youth.
Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, is set to move to Real Madrid when his Liverpool contract expires in June.
What could Frimpong bring to Liverpool?
Analysis from Mark Carey
The Dutchman is about as attacking as it gets among right-backs in the game today. He would represent a different profile if he joined Liverpool. He has become a wing-back who is more ‘wing’ than ‘back’. His 14 goals and 10 assists for Leverkusen in 2023-24 highlighted the impact he can make. He is matching his assist numbers this season (nine) but his goals have dropped (four).
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Leverkusen have occasionally moved to a back four this season, with the 24-year-old operating as a winger instead. Liverpool supporters witnessed that first-hand during the 4-0 Champions League victory over Xabi Alonso’s side mentioned above.
Frimpong’s skill set means he is not required to be as involved in his side’s build-up. This is neatly outlined when looking at the off-ball runs he makes when his team have possession. As shown by SkillCorner’s profile, his running is geared more towards verticality and stretching the opposition with a high volume of runs ahead of the ball or into the box.
If Frimpong is the preferred option at Anfield, he would either have to adapt to playing a more balanced role or Slot would likely need to make some tactical tweaks to provide adequate protection in the right channel.
Liverpool’s right-sided centre-back Ibrahima Konate has already shown an ability to cover large spaces but it would ask different questions of Slot’s midfield and potentially require some adjustment of their roles — especially the right-sided attacking midfielder, an area that could get crowded if Salah signs a new contract and is still at the club next season.
Frimpong did play as a more conventional right-back earlier in his career with Celtic in Scotland and before Alonso arrived at Leverkusen and has also done it for the Netherlands’ national team, so Salah would probably find a way to make it work if they do become team-mates.
(Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images)
