Man Utd have kickstarted their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, according to a trusted source in Germany.
Frimpong has been one of the main names under consideration by Man Utd as they aim to strengthen at right-back. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is not offering enough going forward there, while Diogo Dalot is about to enter the final year of his contract.
After scoring eight goals and providing nine assists so far this season for Bayer Leverkusen within 36 appearances in all competitions, Frimpong has emerged onto Man Utd’s radar.
And according to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany, Man Utd have now started talking to his agent, Jeffrey Lemmert.
The talks so far have been “very positive”, Plettenberg has revealed, while Frimpong is “open” to changing clubs in the summer.
From Man Utd’s perspective, manager Erik ten Hag “admires” his fellow Dutchman. Therefore, he might find the idea of adding him to his squad appealing.
Plettenberg has not yet revealed how much a transfer for Frimpong might cost. The full-back is under contract in Germany until 2025.
Frimpong used to play in Manchester City‘s academy, but could soon be representing their rivals instead.
That said, he isn’t the only option from the Bundesliga on Man Utd’s shortlist. Recently, talks have also been revealed with Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard.
As the summer transfer window approaches, the club will be working out who could be the best fit if they need to shake things up on the right-hand side of their defence.
Frimpong seems the better choice for Man Utd
Perhaps Frimpong, who is still only 22 years old, could be the ideal solution. Ten Hag could help him hit the ground running, in theory.
And if the former Celtic star can maintain his current ratio of contributing to goals, he could be exactly what Man Utd have been looking for.
Pavard, in contrast, was originally a centre-back, it should not be forgotten. Although his famous goal at the 2018 World Cup lives long in the memory, he would be less of an attacking threat than Frimpong.
Indeed, this season Pavard has scored six goals and provided one assist from 33 appearances in all competitions. In an attacking sense, Frimpong might be more effective.
Besides, he has been doing it for a club performing worse than Pavard’s Bayern Munich. Bayer Leverkusen are seventh in the Bundesliga table after 26 games, 15 points behind league leaders Bayern.
But a club like Man Utd will have to remain alert to any opportunities to strengthen their squad with top-level players. Therefore, they will still be giving careful consideration to both of their potential targets.
And with Pavard out of contract next year, rather than in two years’ time, he might be more affordable. Yet if Ten Hag is keen on Frimpong, there should be further focus on bringing him into the fold.
