Liverpool 'on the verge' of signing €40m Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement
- Liverpool bidding farewell to Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer
- Jeremie Frimpong identified as leading target to replace England international
- Reports suggest deal for Bayer Leverkusen full-back close to completion
By Tom Gott
Liverpool are advancing in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, with several reports suggesting a deal is close to completion.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold departing on a free transfer this summer, likely to join Real Madrid, Liverpool find themselves needing defensive reinforcements. Home-grown Conor Bradley is set for more responsibility next season but reports of interest in Frimpong have grown in strength in recent days.
Florian Plettenberg was the first to state Liverpool are "seriously pursuing" Frimpong, whose release clause of between €35m-€40m (£29.4m-£33.6m) makes a deal comparatively simple to complete.
Advanced talks have been held with the 24-year-old Dutchman, who came through the Manchester City youth academy but departed for Celtic in 2019 without ever making a senior appearance for Pep Guardiola's side.
Further detail was provided by Fabrizio Romano, who confirmed Frimpong is keen to make the move to Liverpool this summer.
kicker provide most of the confidence over this deal. Frimpong is said to be "on the verge" of heading to Anfield as a five-year contract is just a few minor details away from being agreed. It is even suggested that a full agreement may already have been reached.
While Frimpong's release clause means Leverkusen have little say in the matter anyway, they are believed to be keen to sell the Dutch wing-back after the departure of manager Xabi Alonso, whose 3-4-2-1 formation was the perfect system for him.
Alonso's replacement, expected to be former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag after Gianluca Di Marzio reported on Cesc Fabregas' decision to decline a move to the BayArena, favours a four-man defence for which Frimpong is not seen as a natural fit.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot also uses a back four but could afford Frimpong the same freedom given to Alexander-Arnold, who regularly roamed around the field to get involved in attack.
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