Jeremie Frimpong looks set to be Liverpool’s first summer signing, as the Reds plot the defense of their Premier League crown.
Saturday was a busy day of transfer news across Europe, but the update on Frimpong’s future was certainly the most eye-catching. A flurry of reports indicated that a deal for the Bayer Leverkusen right-back was close at hand.
The news first broke via transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, who posted his trademark “here we go” update. It’s claimed Liverpool will activate Frimpong’s €35 million ($39 million) release clause before agreeing a five-year deal with the Netherlands international.
The Athletic followed up with an update, claiming Frimpong will undergo a medical soon before completing his $39M move from Leverkusen.
Liverpool reporter David Lynch then posted an X on Saturday afternoon, stating Frimpong will be in Liverpool in the next 48 hours to “put the finishing touches” on his move from the German side.
Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg added that Arne Slot personally wanted to sign Frimpong, and the deal should be considered done.
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The move comes after months of speculation surrounding the Reds’ possible transfer interest. Liverpool.com reported in February that the club held a “genuine interest” in Frimpong as plans began to emerge for a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs claimed in his report in Give Me Sport that Liverpool has been interested in Frimpong since last summer, but Alonso persuaded the star to stay another year. Alonso is also heading out of Leverkusen, with a move to Real Madrid on the horizon.
Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Manchester United have all expressed interest in Frimpong over the last 18 months, the report adds, but Liverpool’s negotiations have gone smoothly in recent weeks.
Slot helped to convince the 24-year-old to make the move and sold him on Liverpool as a long-term project.
It all comes on the day that Conor Bradley signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool, meaning Frimpong will face stiff competition for a starting berth at right-back.
“I dreamed of obviously being able to play for the first team and things like that, make my debut,” the Northern Ireland international said as his new four-year deal was made public.
“I don’t know if you know if it’s going to happen or not, you’re just hoping almost. But to achieve all the things I’ve achieved with the club to this date is pretty special and I just want to keep making more memories together and keep it going.”