Manchester United are reportedly closing in on the signing of Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong.
The former Manchester City academy product has attracted glances from across Europe thanks to his standout performances this term, amassing six goals and eight assists from 31 matches in all tournaments.
Largely operating as a right-wing back, Frimpong – who is also capable of playing as an out-and-out right-back – now has eight goals and 17 assists from 78 Leverkusen matches since joining from Celtic in January 2021.
With the 22-year-old’s contract due to expire in 2025, Leverkusen are not well-placed to demand an extortionate fee as Man United continue to weigh up a summer swoop.
According to Bundesliga expert Christian Falk, Man United boss Erik ten Hag is edging closer to the capture of his fellow Dutchman, who was also a target of the Red Devils’ in January.
“Jeremie Frimpong is getting closer and closer to a United move. Frimpong was also a topic in Winter – United really wanted him then,” Falk told CaughtOffside. “You know, he’s a Dutch player and his connection to Erik ten Hag is very close. There should have been talks.
“So, you see now that Ten Hag is performing well with his team and has good arguments for Frimpong and for United in terms of fulfilling his wish. I think he’s one of Ten Hag’s main targets for the summer.”
Frimpong previously spent nine years on the books at Man City between 2010 and 2019, but he left for Celtic without making a single senior appearance for the Premier League champions.
While in Scotland, the right-back won an SPFL, Scottish Cup and Scottish League Cup treble in the 2019-20 season, and the Bhoys garnered €11m (£9.7m) when selling Frimpong to Leverkusen two years ago.
The defender was called up to Louis van Gaal’s squad for the 2022 World Cup, but he was an unused substitute in all of his nation’s five games, and he is still waiting for his first international cap at senior level.
Frimpong’s arrival at Old Trafford could open the door for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to depart in the summer, with the 25-year-old now back on the bench after a brief run in the first XI under Ten Hag.
Wan-Bissaka started seven Premier League games on the bounce between December and February, as well as featuring from the off in both legs of Man United’s Europa League knockout round playoff success over Barcelona.
However, the right-back has since been consigned to the bench for Man United’s last three Premier League games, with Diogo Dalot starting in Sunday’s 7-0 embarrassment at the hands of Liverpool.
A return to Crystal Palace has been mooted for Wan-Bissaka, whose contract expires in 2024, but United are yet to sort out Dalot’s long-term future either.
The Portugal international is also due to become a free agent at the end of next season, but he has blossomed into an important player for Ten Hag, and Man United are said to be confident of tying him down to a new long-term deal.
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