Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid join Man Utd in race for €40m star

Tom Weber

Updated: 20 Nov 2023 15:52 GMT
3 min read

Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea, Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool — © ProShots

A host of elite clubs have joined Manchester United in their pursuit of Jeremie Frimpong, according to a report.

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The Dutchman is quickly - and once again - becoming a sought-after commodity despite recently extending his contract until 2028. A right-back by trade, the 22-year-old has been playing as more of a winger for Bayer Leverkusen since his arrival from Celtic and he has done so to devastating effect.

Arguably the most dangerous 'right-back' in Europe, Frimpong is thriving under Xabi Alonso and his three goals and six assists in the league are a big reason why Leverkusen are top of the Bundesliga. It was recently claimed that, as part of his new deal, Frimpong now boasts a relatively modest €40 million release clause which is only adding to his attractiveness.

Unsurprisingly, then, several elite sides are keeping an eye on him. Man Utd have been his most persistent suitors, already being heavily linked with him in the summer, but different priorities and a lack of resources meant that no move materialised. Their inability to make a move in the previous window could now have dire consequences for them.

Frimpong a wanted man

According to Depor, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea are all in the mix for the Dutchman. Incredibly, the outlet asserts that Xabi Alonso has made the signing of Frimpong one of the conditions that Los Blancos must meet if they want the Basque coach to take the reins and succeed Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu next year.

"But Chelsea and Liverpool," writes the outlet, "stand in the way. Both Premier League clubs, known for their financial power, have included the young full-back on their list of priorities for the 2024/2025 season."

Given that Real Madrid are more keen on adding a left-back - Alphonso Davies, for example - a striker and, of course, Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer, club chief Florentino Perez is said to be reluctant to shell out more than €35m on Frimpong.