EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd enter Frimpong race but Leverkusen star makes Arsenal preference clear
Steve Kay
- 8 Dec 2023 12:25 GMT
- 3 min read
Exclusive
Arsenal face competition from Manchester United over a transfer for Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen next summer, but FootballTransfers understands the situation remains a positive one for Mikel Arteta’s side.
According to sources, although Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag is interested in the player, Frimpong would prefer a move to Arsenal.
The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with a move away from Bundesliga leaders Leverkusen in the summer, when a €40 million release fee in his contract will be activated.
The prospect of picking up the player at a relatively cheap price is one that has enticed both Arsenal and Man Utd to look at the player.
FootballTransfers understands, though, that the stability offered by Arsenal would help them win the race for one of the most exciting young full-backs in world football.
The 22-year-old already posts six goals and nine assists for the season, which is a greater goal contribution than all of Man Utd’s four full-backs managed in the whole of 2022/23 combined.
Although a Netherlands international playing in Germany, Frimpong has already spent much of his life in the UK, having moved to the country when he was a child. He spent time in the Manchester City academy and began his professional career playing with Celtic, who reportedly have a 30% sell on clause in the player’s agreement.
Arsenal and Man Utd crave a right-back
FootballTransfers has previously revealed that Arsenal are seeking to strengthen the right side of their defence, despite planning contract talks with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Previously, Joao Cancelo was targeted from Manchester City, but it now appears that Frimpong is in Mikel Arteta’s sights.
Man Utd, meanwhile, have been searching for a right-back since Ten Hag took command of the club, and while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is presently the incumbent in the position, the former Ajax boss has long been known to want a more attacking alternative in that role.
Frimpong would provide just that and at €40m would be a bargain given his Expected Transfer Value (ETV) sits at €53m, but Arsenal are in the driving seat in this deal.
