Premier League leaders Arsenal have reportedly made Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong a priority transfer target for 2024.
According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal have apparently earmarked Bayer Leverkusen right wing-back Jeremie Frimpong as a major target ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.
The report adds that although the Gunners’ are looking to reward versatile defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu with new contracts in the very near future, Arteta doesn’t view either of them as a long-term first-choice right-back at the club and is looking for a specialist attack-minded right-back who is also strong defensively instead.
The Gunners hierarchy have invested heavily in their squad, showing they are very much behind the Arteta and Edu regime. Having finished second in the Premier League last season to secure a Champions League return, there is a real buzz around Arsenal again, with the Gunners’ set to lead the English top-flight heading into matchweek 16 following their thrilling 4-3 victory over Luton Town on Tuesday night.
Having given Arteta a £200 million-plus budget to spend over the summer, Arsenal still have sizeable cash at their disposal to further strengthen their squad in the winter window.
A high-quality midfielder is likely to be right at the top of Arteta’s January wishlist, but it seems they are also in the market for a right-back upgrade, with a strong push to land Frimpong’s signature from Leverkusen expected in 2024.
Frimpong has scored six goals and distributed seven assists in 17 matches at the start of what’s turning into a great season for him and for Bayer Leverkusen, with Xabi Alonso’s side currently top of the Bundesliga with 11 wins and two draws from 13 games heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures.
The 22-year-old, who is understood to be keen to leave Leverkusen next summer to take the next step in his career, has a £35 million release clause that expires this summer; his deal runs until 2028, and that figure would appear to represent tremendous value-for-money given his skillset and international pedigree.
Arsenal have a number of options at full-back considering they will have currently-injured Jurrien Timber back in the mix come next season. However, signing Frimpong would not only provide an overlapping attacking threat to their attack; it would also give Arteta the option to shift things around thanks to his versatile nature and exceptional burst of pace.
