Manchester City have significantly intensified their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s dynamic right-back Jeremie Frimpong, with the Premier League champions now actively preparing a substantial approach to bring the Netherlands international back to the Etihad Stadium this summer, according to multiple sources close to the negotiations.
The 24-year-old defender, who began his professional journey in City’s renowned academy system before departing for Celtic in 2019, has emerged as Pep Guardiola’s primary target to reinforce the right side of his defense ahead of what promises to be a transformative transfer window for the club.
Industry insiders with knowledge of Manchester City’s recruitment strategy confirm that Frimpong features prominently in Guardiola’s plans for defensive restructuring. The Spanish tactician is reportedly preparing for a significant squad overhaul as the club aims to reassert its dominance both domestically and in European competition following a challenging 2024/25 campaign that saw them surrender their Premier League title to Arsenal and exit the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.
The Guardiola Vision: Rebuilding for Continued Success
Pep Guardiola’s tenure at Manchester City has been characterized by continuous evolution, with the manager regularly refreshing his squad to maintain competitive edge. The upcoming summer window appears set to continue this pattern, with several established first-team players expected to depart as the club transitions toward a younger, more dynamic playing group.
“Guardiola has always believed in regeneration rather than revolution,” explains former City defender Micah Richards. “What we’re seeing now is the natural progression of his project. The squad needs fresh energy, and bringing back someone like Frimpong, who understands the City philosophy but has developed his game elsewhere, makes perfect sense.”
The City manager has reportedly identified the right-back position as a priority area for reinforcement following Kyle Walker’s loan move to AC Milan in January. The 33-year-old England international, who had been a cornerstone of City’s defense since joining from Tottenham in 2017, secured a temporary switch to the Italian giants with an option for permanent transfer – a clear indication that his long-term future lies away from Manchester.
Walker’s departure has created a significant void in City’s defensive setup, one that Guardiola believes Frimpong is ideally suited to fill. Technical director Txiki Begiristain has reportedly been tasked with securing the Dutchman’s signature as part of a broader recruitment strategy that will likely see the club make between three and five significant additions during the summer window.
Frimpong’s Remarkable Development: From Academy Prospect to European Star
Jeremie Frimpong’s career trajectory represents one of the more intriguing developmental paths in European football. Having joined Manchester City’s academy at age nine, the Amsterdam-born defender progressed through the youth ranks before making the bold decision to leave for Celtic in search of first-team opportunities at the age of 18.
His time in Scotland proved transformative, with Frimpong making an immediate impact at Celtic Park. Under Neil Lennon’s guidance, he quickly established himself as one of the Scottish Premiership’s most exciting young talents, combining defensive diligence with explosive attacking capabilities that caught the attention of clubs across Europe.
After 51 appearances for Celtic, Frimpong secured a £11.5 million move to Bayer Leverkusen in January 2021 – a transfer that has since proved to be one of the Bundesliga club’s shrewdest acquisitions of recent years. Under the tactical guidance of first Peter Bosz and later Xabi Alonso, Frimpong has developed into one of the continent’s premier attacking full-backs.
The 2023/24 campaign represented the pinnacle of his career to date, as he played an instrumental role in Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga triumph – the club’s first-ever league title. Operating primarily as a wing-back in Alonso’s innovative 3-4-3 system, Frimpong contributed an extraordinary 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions, statistics that underline his exceptional offensive capabilities.
“What makes Frimpong special is his understanding of space,” notes German football analyst Raphael Honigstein. “He’s not just quick – though his pace is exceptional – he’s intelligent in how he times his runs and positions himself. That’s why he’s become such a productive attacking force despite primarily being a defender.”
This season, despite Leverkusen struggling to replicate their championship form, Frimpong has maintained his high performance levels, registering four goals and six assists in Bundesliga competition. His continued excellence amid the team’s broader inconsistency has only served to enhance his reputation among Europe’s elite clubs.
Tactical Fit: How Frimpong Would Transform City’s Right Flank
Guardiola’s tactical approach has evolved significantly during his time at Manchester City, with the manager demonstrating remarkable adaptability in response to changing personnel and emerging challenges. The potential acquisition of Frimpong would offer the Catalan coach new possibilities for structural innovation, particularly given the Dutchman’s experience operating both as a traditional right-back and in the more advanced wing-back role.
“Frimpong would give Guardiola tremendous tactical flexibility,” suggests tactical analyst Michael Cox. “He can function in a back four, but he’s probably most effective when given license to advance as a wing-back. His comfort in possession and acceleration over short distances make him perfect for City’s system, where full-backs are often required to operate in central midfield areas during build-up phases.”
The Netherlands international’s attacking metrics are particularly impressive when compared to those of current Premier League right-backs. His successful dribbles per 90 minutes (2.7) and chances created (1.9) comfortably exceed the divisional average for his position, while his goal involvement statistics place him among Europe’s elite offensive defenders.
These attacking capabilities would potentially allow Guardiola to adjust his system to maximize the contributions of other key personnel. For instance, the manager could deploy a more asymmetrical structure with Frimpong advancing aggressively on the right while maintaining a more conservative positioning for his left-back – an approach that has proved effective during periods when João Cancelo operated on the right side of City’s defense.
“What’s interesting about potentially bringing Frimpong back is how it might signal a return to the more adventurous full-back positioning we saw during City’s dominant periods,” notes former City midfielder Dietmar Hamann. “Walker gave them tremendous recovery pace but was never the most creative in the final third. Frimpong combines similar athletic attributes with much greater technical quality in attacking situations.”
Financial Considerations and Transfer Strategy
Manchester City’s approach to the transfer market has evolved considerably in recent years, with the club increasingly focused on strategic acquisitions rather than speculative spending. The pursuit of Frimpong aligns with this philosophy, representing a calculated investment in a player with proven quality, considerable potential for further development, and significant resale value.
Industry sources suggest a transfer fee in the region of £40-45 million would be sufficient to secure Frimpong’s services – a figure that, while substantial, appears reasonable in the context of the current market for elite full-backs. For comparison, Chelsea paid approximately £58 million for Marc Cucurella in 2022, while Manchester United invested £50 million in Aaron Wan-Bissaka back in 2019.
City’s financial planning for the summer window is also influenced by anticipated departures. Beyond Walker, several high-earning players are expected to leave the Etihad, potentially including Bernardo Silva, who continues to attract interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and Kalvin Phillips, whose loan spell at West Ham has failed to reignite his career following a difficult period in Manchester.
The club’s wage structure will accommodate Frimpong comfortably, with reports suggesting he would be offered a contract worth approximately £120,000 per week – placing him in the middle tier of earners at the Etihad Stadium. This would represent a significant increase on his current Leverkusen salary, estimated at around £65,000 weekly, while still maintaining City’s carefully balanced remuneration system.
“City have become incredibly shrewd operators in the transfer market,” observes football finance expert Kieran Maguire. “They identify talent early, move decisively, and structure deals intelligently. The potential Frimpong transfer fits their model perfectly – a player entering his prime years, with significant experience but still with room for development under Guardiola’s guidance.”
Premier League Competition: Liverpool and Manchester United Circle
Manchester City’s pursuit of Frimpong is complicated by growing interest from domestic rivals, with Liverpool emerging as particularly serious contenders for his signature. The Merseyside club’s interest has intensified following the appointment of Arne Slot as Jürgen Klopp’s successor, with the Dutch coach reportedly identifying his compatriot as an ideal addition to his newly inherited squad.
Liverpool’s motivation is partly driven by uncertainty surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future at Anfield. The England international has been repeatedly linked with Real Madrid, and with just one year remaining on his current contract, speculation about a potential departure has intensified. Frimpong represents a logical replacement given his similar profile as an attack-minded right-back with exceptional technical qualities.
“Liverpool’s interest makes perfect sense from multiple perspectives,” explains former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher. “Slot knows Frimpong well from monitoring Dutch talent during his time at Feyenoord, and stylistically, he’d fit Liverpool’s system beautifully. The club needs to prepare for the possibility of losing Alexander-Arnold, and Frimpong is one of the few players in Europe with a comparable skill set.”
Manchester United have also been linked with Frimpong in recent months, though sources close to the Old Trafford club suggest their transfer priorities lie elsewhere for the upcoming window. With substantial resources already committed to Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the right-back position, United’s recruitment team is reportedly focused on strengthening central defensive and midfield areas before addressing full-back positions.
This apparent reluctance to enter a bidding war for Frimpong potentially simplifies the landscape for Manchester City, though Liverpool’s serious interest ensures the pursuit will remain competitive. The player himself has remained diplomatic when questioned about his future, focusing publicly on his commitments to Bayer Leverkusen while privately keeping his options open regarding the next step in his career.
Celtic’s Financial Windfall: The Sell-On Clause Impact
An intriguing subplot in the Frimpong transfer saga involves his former club Celtic, who stand to benefit significantly from any deal. The Scottish champions negotiated a substantial sell-on clause when transferring the defender to Bayer Leverkusen, reportedly securing 30% of any profit made on his subsequent sale.
Given Leverkusen acquired Frimpong for approximately £11.5 million and could potentially sell him for around £40-45 million, Celtic would be in line to receive between £8-10 million – a considerable windfall that would bolster the Glasgow club’s own transfer budget for the upcoming window.
“Celtic’s recruitment strategy increasingly relies on identifying young talent, developing players rapidly, and maximizing transfer profits,” explains Scottish football journalist Alison McConnell. “The Frimpong deal exemplifies this approach perfectly. They secured him from City for a modest fee, gave him first-team exposure that accelerated his development, and then structured his sale to ensure ongoing financial benefit from his career progression.”
This financial incentive creates an interesting dynamic wherein Celtic will be actively hoping for Frimpong to secure the highest possible transfer fee this summer. The club’s scouting department has established a strong record in recent years for identifying undervalued talent, with Frimpong’s career trajectory serving as perhaps their most successful case study in player trading.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Succession Planning
While reluctant to lose one of their most valuable assets, Bayer Leverkusen have been pragmatic in their approach to Frimpong’s situation. The Bundesliga club recognizes that retaining players of his caliber becomes increasingly challenging as Europe’s financial elite circle, and have consequently begun identifying potential replacements.
Leverkusen’s recruitment model, overseen by sporting director Simon Rolfes, emphasizes proactive succession planning rather than reactive transfers. This approach has seen the club consistently unearth talents like Florian Wirtz, Edmond Tapsoba, and Frimpong himself – players acquired for relatively modest fees who have subsequently developed into some of Europe’s most coveted prospects.
Sources in Germany suggest Leverkusen have already shortlisted several candidates to potentially replace Frimpong, with Lutsharel Geertruida of Feyenoord and Josip Juranović of Union Berlin reportedly among their preferred options. This advanced preparation reflects the club’s acceptance that Frimpong’s departure is increasingly likely, despite public assertions of their desire to retain him.
“Leverkusen have established one of Europe’s most effective recruitment operations,” notes German football expert Constantin Eckner. “They identify talent early, develop players systematically, and sell at optimal moments to fund the next cycle of recruitment. Frimpong’s likely departure will be disappointing but not destabilizing – they’ve already identified who comes next.”
The club’s relationship with Frimpong’s representatives remains positive, with an understanding that they will not obstruct his progression to a higher level provided their valuation is met. This professional approach has enhanced Leverkusen’s reputation as a developmental stepping stone, making them an attractive destination for emerging talents who see clear pathways to eventual moves to Europe’s elite clubs.
Frimpong’s Career Trajectory: International Ambitions and Development Potential
For Frimpong personally, the upcoming transfer window represents a pivotal moment in his career development. Having established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s outstanding performers over the past three seasons, the timing appears optimal for his next career move as he approaches his peak years.
The defender’s international career has begun to flourish, with Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman increasingly incorporating him into the national team setup. However, competition for places remains fierce, with Denzel Dumfries of Inter Milan currently established as the first-choice right-back. A move to the Premier League’s most successful club of recent years could potentially strengthen Frimpong’s case for more regular international selection.
From a developmental perspective, working under Guardiola – renowned for his ability to elevate defenders’ technical and tactical understanding – represents an enticing proposition. The Catalan coach has transformed numerous full-backs during his managerial career, most notably Joshua Kimmich at Bayern Munich and João Cancelo during his time at City. Frimpong’s skillset appears ideally suited to Guardiola’s methodology, suggesting significant potential for further growth under his guidance.
“Guardiola sees things in players that others don’t,” explains tactical journalist Lee Scott. “With Frimpong, he would likely focus on refining his positional play without the ball and his decision-making in the final third. These marginal improvements could transform an already excellent player into a genuinely world-class performer.”
Conclusion: A Transfer Saga Set to Dominate the Summer Window
As the domestic season approaches its conclusion across Europe, the battle for Jeremie Frimpong’s signature appears set to become one of the summer’s most compelling transfer narratives. Manchester City’s determination to bring their former academy product back to the Etihad represents a fascinating full-circle moment, though Liverpool’s serious interest ensures the outcome remains far from certain.
For City, securing Frimpong would represent a significant statement of intent as they prepare for the next phase of the Guardiola era. His combination of attacking dynamism, technical security, and positional versatility perfectly aligns with the manager’s tactical vision, potentially helping to reinvigorate a squad that has shown occasional signs of staleness during the current campaign.
The coming weeks will likely see negotiations intensify, with City expected to make their opening approach immediately following the conclusion of the Premier League season. Liverpool, meanwhile, will wait until Slot officially assumes control before formalizing their interest, potentially creating a window of opportunity for City to establish themselves as frontrunners.
What appears increasingly certain is that Frimpong’s future lies away from the BayArena, with his departure from Leverkusen likely to be confirmed early in the transfer window. Whether he returns to Manchester to complete a remarkable career circle or embarks on a new challenge at Anfield, his next move promises to be one of the summer’s most significant defensive transfers across European football.
For the player who left City’s academy in search of first-team opportunities, potentially returning as one of Europe’s premier full-backs would represent a remarkable testament to his determination and development. The final decision, however, remains in the balance as two of England’s footballing powerhouses prepare to battle for his coveted signature.
