Bayer Leverkusen is expecting to lose Jeremie Frimpong this summer, with Liverpool said to be keen on snapping up the Dutch wing-back as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Liverpool is expected to make contact with Bayer Leverkusen shortly to confirm that it will be triggering the release clause written into Frimpong’s contract, according to The Times. The former Manchester City youth prospect has been identified as one of the players who can inject fresh quality and impetus for the Premier League champion.
His exit clause is set at $39 million (£30 million). And according to Sky Germany, Leverkusen is resigned to losing the player because of that, which will leave it powerless to stand in the 24-year-old’s way.
Alexander-Arnold confirmed earlier this month that he would be leaving Liverpool in an emotional statement. “This is easily the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my life,” he said.
“I know many of you have wondered why or been frustrated that I haven’t spoken about this yet, but it was always my intention to keep my full focus on the team’s best interests, which was securing No.20.
“This club has been my whole life — my whole world — for 20 years. From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.
(Image: Ralf Ibing – firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
“But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.
“I’ve given my all every single day I’ve been at this club. I hope you feel like I’ve given back to you during my time here.
“From the bottom of my heart, I thank everybody — my coaches, my managers, my teammates, the staff and our incredible supporters — for the last 20 years.
“I’ve been blessed enough to live out my dreams here and I will never, ever take for granted the special moments I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived through with you all. My love for this club will never die.”
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Alexander-Arnold’s next destination has not been confirmed yet but it is going to be Real Madrid. The Liverpool ace will move to Spain as a free agent with his contract soon to expire.
“I think Liverpool should be bringing in a right-back who’s around 25 years old who has experience but also knows that they probably won’t play every single game,” former Reds full-back Stephen Warnock told Gambling Industry News this week.
“That said, once you bring in competition, that shirt will be up for grabs. I do think Conor Bradley will be the long-term successor, though, but Arne Slot might have a different plan.
“He might want someone similar to Trent who’s happy to step into the midfield. We haven’t seen what Slot looks for in a signing yet, so it’s difficult to call.”
Liverpool.com says: Frimpong is a completely different kind of player to Alexander-Arnold but he is talented. So too is Conor Bradley, but you need two top players in every position to be able to compete on all fronts.
