Manchester United have reportedly opened talks with the representatives of Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong over a summer transfer to Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed an impressive 2022-23 campaign with the Bundesliga club, contributing with eight goals and nine assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.
Frimpong has predominantly operated as a wing-back under head coach Xabi Alonso and scored his latest goal in a 3-0 away victory over Schalke 04 last weekend.
Prior to joining Leverkusen in January 2021, Frimpong spent nine years in Manchester City's academy before moving to Glaswegian giants Celtic, where he made over 50 appearances and won three trophies including the Scottish Premiership title.
Frimpong has since developed into a key player with Leverkusen and is understood to have caught the eye of a number of top European clubs including Erik ten Hag's Man United.
© Reuters
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Frimpong since the end of last year, and the Netherlands international is believed to be open to joining the Premier League giants.
According to Sky Sports Deutschland reporter Florian Plettenberg, Man United have "started" talks with Frimpong's agent Jeffrey Lemmert and the discussions between both parties have been "very positive".
Plettenberg adds that Ten Hag is an admirer of the right back, who is under contract at the BayArena until June 2025 and is open to seeking pastures new in the summer transfer window.
In January, Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes insisted that the German club were "very relaxed" about Frimpong's future at the club despite links over a move to Man United.
Speaking to Sky Sports Deutschland, Rolfes said: "We are very relaxed with Jeremie. It would be fatal if he didn't draw attention to himself from big clubs with these performances.
© Reuters
"He is very conspicuous with his way of playing and is an enormously important player for us. I told him that he will still get his playing time with his quality within the tournament.
"He can decide a game with a single action because he's incredibly quick and good at dribbling. We'll be happy when he's back [after the World Cup] with us. Jeremie has a long-term contract at Leverkusen, so we're very relaxed."
Leverkusen are understood to have identified West Ham United right-back Vladimir Coufal as a possible replacement for Frimpong should he decide to leave this summer.
United will likely step up their interest in Frimpong if they agree to part ways with either Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Diogo Dalot, who are both out of contract in June 2024 and are facing uncertain futures at Old Trafford.
The likes of Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries and Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard have also been linked with a summer move to the Red Devils.
Oliver Thomas
