Manchester City are opening up to the idea of a deal to take Jeremie Frimpong back to the Etihad in the summer transfer window.
Jeremie Frimpong Transfer News
Frimpong grew up in the City Academy from the age of nine but left in 2019 to join Celtic, and has established himself at the very top level with Bayer Leverkusen.
The 23-year-old plays as an attacking full-back and that is one of the priority areas for City to improve in the upcoming transfer window.
He is not the only player in sight from Germany, as City have eyes on Joshua Kimmich at Bayern Munich, as the German international looks set to leave the Bavarians this summer.
But the club need to find a long-term option in defence, as Kyle Walker has been linked with a move away from Manchester.
Manuel Akanji has capabilities in the role, but it is understood that Frimpong is among the top candidates to come in if they look to make a signing.
Most of the Bayer Leverkusen side will stick with Xabi Alonso for their Champions League quest next season, however there is a feeling that Frimpong is one of the few that could leave.
He has a £35million release clause and is very open minded about the idea of playing in the Premier League. He has also been linked with Manchester United, though sources are playing that down at the moment.
Arsenal have been connected to him too as a potential summer transfer target, yet their priorities lie in trying to sign a left sided defender instead.
It is unclear when current right-back Walker, 33, will look to leave City as his contract does not expire until 2026 and he is still a pivotal member of the side.
He has started 29 Premier League games this season and will be in Gareth Southgate’s plans for Euro 2024 in the summer as his playing levels remain high.
Yet, even if Walker stays at City for now, the club will start planning for the future and that could mean an overlap between him being at the club and a long-term replacement being signed.
Frimpong is still admired by many at City and his performances this season have only helped his chances of landing a huge transfer.
The Dutch international has been a key part of the Leverkusen side that has claimed a Bundesliga title and is also on course to go unbeaten for the entire season, with a German Cup final and Europa League final still to come.
Leverkusen want any deal to be in place early in June to give them time to replace Frimpong, if he is to go, and City will also need to move fast to trigger the current release clause that is in place.
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