Liverpool is closing in on a deal to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. The Dutchman has a $39 million release clause in his contract with the German club, which appeals to the Reds, and the deal is expected to be wrapped up swiftly following the conclusion of the Bundesliga season this weekend.
Liverpool is in the market for a new right-back following confirmation of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impending departure, which finally came at the beginning of last week.
Alexander-Arnold is leaving to join Real Madrid on a free transfer after allowing his contract on Merseyside to run down. The right-back was booed by thousands of fans inside Anfield upon making his first appearance since announcing his exit.
The Athletic reports that there is increasing confidence from Frimpong’s camp that an agreement for the player to join Liverpool will be struck.
Frimpong signed a new contract at Leverkusen in October 2023, which runs until the summer of 2028, but it includes a release clause which allows him to leave should it be met.
Considering his status as one of the most in-demand right-sided players in Europe, Liverpool considers a $39 million release clause more than acceptable.
Frimpong is currently playing in his fourth full season for Leverkusen, and since moving to Germany he has established himself as one of the best players in the world in his position.
The Dutchman primarily plays as a wing-back in Xabi Alonso’s system, and has even played further forward as a right-winger, but he also has plenty of experience at right-back, which is where he would be likely to start out were he to join Liverpool.
Liverpool is in the market for new full-backs on both wings, with a long-term successor for Andy Robertson on the opposite flank also on the agenda.
Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has emerged as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League this season and is a firm Liverpool target.
Bournemouth signed a new left-back, Julio Soler, 20, from the Argentinian team Lanus during the January transfer window. While he was not signed as a direct replacement for Kerkez, Soler’s arrival would no doubt smooth over any possible exit for the Liverpool target.
Learn more
In a YouTube stream during January, Kerkez responded to rumors linking him with Liverpool in a manner that Reds fans wouldn’t have liked, saying: “I will not go to Liverpool. For everybody listening, I will not go to Liverpool.”
It would be silly to read too much into that, though, given Kerkez was unlikely to say otherwise and risk piling unnecessary pressure on himself for the remainder of the campaign.
