Transfer rumors, news: Liverpool eye Leverkusen star Frimpong to replace Alexander-Arnold
Credit to Author: ESPN| Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2024 09:06:03 EST
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens rank the forwards that have been linked to Manchester United in recent months. (2:17)
Liverpool have one eye on Bayer Leverkusen‘s Jeremie Frimpong as Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s contract runs down, while Bayern Munich hope AC Milan‘s Theo Hernández can replace Real Madrid-linked Alphonso Davies. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumours, and gossip from around the globe.
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– Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all about to move into the final six months of their contracts, and Liverpool are beginning to make back up plans should any of them move on. As far as Alexander-Arnold’s right-back position is concerned, Bild reports that Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong is now earmarked as the primary target. The 23-year-old, who excelled with 14 goals and 12 assists as Leverkusen won the Double in Germany last season, began his career at Manchester City but moved to Celtic at the age of 18 having not made a senior appearance. The Netherlands international’s performances earned him a transfer to Leverkusen in 2021, and now he could be set to return to the Premier League. Frimpong has also been linked with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
– Manchester United have joined Barcelona in the race to sign Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, according to Diario Sport. The Georgia international is in talks to sign a contract extension, with his deal ending in June 2027. The Red Devils are prepared to tempt Kvaratskhelia by offering him a five-year contract worth €8m net per season. Barca have monitored Kvaratskhelia for some time but the player’s €80m release clause would pose a big hurdle for the Catalan giants. Kvaratskhelia, 23, is in his third season at Napoli.
– Negotiations over a new contract are ongoing between the representatives of Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, reports AS. The MLS club are reported to be “working tirelessly” to sign the 37-year-old Argentina international to a new deal, amid plans to secure his future at the club through 2026. The Herons, who recently appointed Messi’s former teammate Javier Mascherano as head coach, also announced that striker Luis Suárez signed a new one-year contract at the Chase Stadium on Wednesday. Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas has also stated that he “expects” Messi to stay at the club after his contract expires next year.
– AC Milan left-back Theo Hernández has been placed on Bayern Munich’s short list, reports Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg. It is said that the 27-year-old is seen as an ideal successor for Alphonso Davies, who has shown no sign of wanting to pen an extension before his contract expires at the Allianz Arena next summer. The Bundesliga club are anticipating interest from Real Madrid for the signature of Davies, but they could reportedly face competition from Manchester United for Hernández, with the Premier League side also keen on his services.
– Borussia Dortmund aren’t considering a move for Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, reports Bild’s Christian Falk. Despite some reports indicating that the 27-year-old was on BVB’s radar, it looks as though a move isn’t on the cards. Nkunku’s future remains uncertain at Stamford Bridge, with just one start from 11 Premier League appearances. He arrived in West London from RB Leipzig for a fee of £52 million in the summer of 2023.
ESPN’s Beth Lindop considers Liverpool’s possible interest in Jeremie Frimpong:
Frimpong has established himself as one of the finest wing-backs in Europe over the past couple of seasons and therefore it is unsurprising to see him linked with a host of top clubs, including Liverpool.
However, any potential move for the 23-year-old by Arne Slot’s side would hinge on a number of factors. Firstly, there is no guarantee that Trent Alexander-Arnold will actually leave the club next summer.
Liverpool’s vice-captain is one of three key players whose contract expires at the end of the season and, while there has so far been no breakthrough in negotiations, Slot’s side have not yet abandoned hopes of securing a new deal.
Even if Alexander-Arnold does depart — with Real Madrid being touted as his most likely destination — Liverpool already have a fine replacement within their ranks in Conor Bradley. The Northern Ireland international was sublime against Madrid on Wednesday night, dealing admirably with Kylian Mbappé.
Should Alexander-Arnold leave the club, Bradley would be well within his rights to expect to be promoted to first-choice right-back. And, while Frimpong could certainly be coached to play in a back four, he appears to be better suited to playing as wing-back, which doesn’t really align with Slot’s playing style.
– Multiple Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on the situation of Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo. Arsenal and Newcastle United are reported to be pondering a move in January for the 25-year-old, and he is also being monitored by Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa. (Ekrem Konur)
– Chelsea are being strongly linked with Ipswich Town striker Rory Delap, but they could face strong competition for his transfer from his former club, Manchester City. (Football Insider)
– Manchester United are considering a move for Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell. The left-back has made just one appearance this season as a substitute in the Carabao Cup, with manager Enzo Maresca looking to move him on in the next transfer window. (Rudy Galetti)
– Barcelona will place Frenkie de Jong on the transfer list next summer. De Jong, 27, has struggled to find his best form since returning to action in October having been several months sidelined with an ankle injury. (Diario Sport)
– Aston Villa sporting director Monchi says he would bring back midfielder Douglas Luiz back any time. Luiz joined Juventus in the summer in a €51m transfer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)
– Francisco Conceicao has given an indication he would like to continue at Juventus beyond the summer. The Portugal international is with Juve on a season-long loan from FC Porto. (A Bola)
– Sevilla could terminate Valentín Barco‘s loan from Brighton in January because he’s only played 376 minutes. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Nadiem Amiri is being watched by Aston Villa. The 28-year-old attacking midfielder, who plays for Mainz, won five full caps for Germany earlier in his career. (Bild)
– Fiorentina and Napoli could both make a move to sign Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior on loan in January, but the Gunners are unlikely to allow him to move on. (TMW)
– Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has dismissed reports that Evan Ferguson could be sent out on loan in the January window. (The Argus)