Speculation over the Dutch wing-back’s
Speculation linking Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong has increased over the past couple of days, with the 24-year-old Dutch international being linked with Liverpool FC.
Speaking on NBC Sports, journalist David Ornstein gave his opinion on a potential move:
“He has a €35m (£29.8m) release clause, something in the region of that, as I understand it. I also believe that he would be keen on a move to Liverpool, if they decide to go down that route. They will have other options as well, but Frimpong has been mentioned in a number of reports so far.”
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano also chimed in on the prospect of a Liverpool transfer:
“Jeremy Frimpong feels this is the right moment to go to say goodbye to Bayer Leverkusen after fantastic years together.”
“Let me say that Liverpool’s interest is genuine because Liverpool are exploring this opportunity. Liverpool are interested in the player. Liverpool need to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold who will go to Real Madrid and Jeremy Frimpong is a player they like. There are also other clubs in the race.”
“But Liverpool’s interest is for sure confirmed. So let’s see then how it will advance. Let’s see what Liverpool will decide to do because we know that Liverpool will be quite busy.”
Well, that’s one way to inject some speed into the squad. Liverpool do love a release clause, and paying just €35m for a player that would usually cost 50-60 million or so seems like the kind of business they love doing.
He plays right wing-back in Leverkusen’s system, and pretty much occupies a lot of the same spaces Salah does. I just can’t see him having enough defensive chops to play as a right-back in a back four if he comes to Liverpool. My guess is Slot starts playing him on the left wing (he’s right-footed), and he plays right wing when Salah is unavailable. That’s going to be quite a lot of tinkering since he’s never played left-wing, but Arne Slot won the Premier League on his first try so he gets to do whatever he wants.