DONE DEAL-Jeremie Frimpong set for Liverpool medical after agreeing five-year

Jeremie Frimpong is set to undergo a medical ahead of completing a proposed transfer from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool.

 

 

 

Frimpong has agreed a five-year contract and the Anfield club will activate his release clause, which is worth in the region of €35million (£29.6m;$39.3m).

 

 

 

The Athletic reported on Thursday that Liverpool were advancing in talks to sign the 24-year-old, who has emerged as one of Europe’s most coveted right-backs.

 

 

 

He registered 14 goals and 12 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions last season, helping Leverkusen go unbeaten to clinch the Bundesliga title.

 

 

 

Frimpong extended his terms until 2028 but is to depart once the summer transfer window opens.

 

 

 

Since his 2021 move from Celtic, Frimpong has earned praise for his dynamic attacking style, and the Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, emphasised his importance following the renewal in October, calling him “one of the best players” in the league in his position.

 

 

 

This campaign, the Netherlands international has made 48 appearances for Xabi Alonso’s side, scoring five goals and adding 12 assists.

 

 

 

A move to Liverpool would see him replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to move to Real Madrid when his contract on Merseyside expires in June.

 

 

 

Earlier on Saturday, Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley signed a new four-year contract at Anfield through to 2029.

 

Jeremie Frimpong and Liverpool: What we’re hearing – and what he offers

 

 

 

How advanced is interest in the Bayer Leverkusen right-back and how would he fit stylistically?

 

 

 

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).

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Former Manchester City academy kid Frimpong did play as a more conventional right-back earlier in his career with Scotland’s Celtic 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.

 

 

 

(Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

 

 

 

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