Liverpool supporters are scrambling as they look for clues about the Reds’ summer transfer targets.
It looks all set to be a busy window at Anfield as they attempt to strengthen Arne Slot’s Premier League champions.
With plenty of funds seemingly available, a portion at least is going to have to go on solving the right-back problem. Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving and is going to have to be replaced.
Although Conor Bradley is ready for a bigger role, Liverpool badly need someone who can help the youngster out. With that in mind, Bayer Leverkusen’s marauding Netherlands international Jeremie Frimpong has been heavily linked.
“He has a €35 million (£30m) release clause, something in the region of that, as I understand it,” journalist David Ornstein said on NBC Sports earlier this week. “I also believe that he would be keen on a move to Liverpool, if they decide to go down that route.”
And with a move for Frimpong a clear possibility this summer, Liverpool fans have been offering their reactions.
Liverpool fans split over Jeremie Frimpong move
Frimpong has been a consistent performer for Leverkusen since arriving in 2021. The 24-year-old was a huge part of their invincible double-winning campaign last year.
Despite his clear qualities, though, Frimpong is also about as attacking a full-back as it is possible to be. According to fans on social media site X, this could be a problem for Liverpool.
“If you honestly think Frimpong is the answer and defensively capable in a flat back 4 you’re very wrong,” said one supporter.
“If you think Trent’s defending was dodgy, you really don’t want us to sign Frimpong as a replacement,” added another.
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“Frimpong looks more like a winger than a full back to me,” someone else argued. “I think he’d be a defensive liability at full back in the Premier League.” Others made the same point.
“Biggest traits of Slots fullbacks this season have been them being massively involved in deep build up play, and regularly playing narrow,” one claimed. “Frimpong is never involved in build up because he’s a winger, and never plays narrow because he’s a winger.”
However, others were decidedly more positive at the prospect of Liverpool signing Frimpong, claiming that his attacking style would more often than not benefit the Reds.
“This logic some have that Frimpong may not suit us because he’s more of an attacking wing back than a traditional full back is daft,” one fan opined. “There are about 15 teams we should be walloping at home next season and he’d suit them games 100%. A no brainer for me. Bring him in.”
“I’m excited if we go for Frimpong,” another admitted. “We don’t have that express pace that prime Mane and Salah had. Get a defensive left-back and let Frimpong run up and down the wing.”
“De Bruyne false 9 with Salah and Gakpo inverting and Kerkez/Frimpong providing width, I will absolutely be there,” added one dreamer.
Will Liverpool sign Frimpong?
Given his availability, the Dutch connection at Liverpool and the fact he may also count as a home-grown player, it is easy to see why Frimpong is in the conversation this summer.
The release clause Ornstein is referring to is cheaper than the one mentioned previously, and would make a deal to sign the former Man City youngster much more attractive.
Whether Liverpool trigger that clause will likely depend on how much faith they have in Bradley.
The Northern Irishman could go up a level or two if handed the keys to a permanent place in the team, but his injury history is a really big worry.
If Liverpool decide they simply cannot rely on Bradley over the course of a full season and need top-level competition for him, then Frimpong would be a great option.
Should the Reds put greater trust in Bradley, though, and instead opt to bring in a young player to compete with him, the Leverkusen man should not be in the running. Let’s wait and see.
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