Arsenal have sent scouts to watch £35m target previously admired by Postecoglou

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Arsenal are keeping an eye on several top talents across Europe, and are now scouting Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.

The versatile wing-back currently plays alongside former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka under Xabi Alonso, and is thriving at the top end of the Bundesliga.

Arsenal have a lack of defensive depth following an injury to Jurrien Timber and the departure of Kieran Tierney, and could dip into the market in January to find a solution.

Arsenal send scouts to watch Jeremie Frimpong

A report from 90min has now revealed that both Arsenal and Liverpool had scouts in attendance to watch Leverkusen’s 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, and they were there to watch Frimpong.

The Netherlands international has scored four and assisted six goals in 13 Bundesliga appearances this season, and has a £35m release clause in his contract.

This clause expires at the end of the next summer transfer window, making a deal at the end of the season possible if Arsenal do not wish to spend that much in January.

Given the wide interest in him, Arsenal may wish to move quickly before a rival club swoops in to sign him, but the club are also interested in a midfielder and may prioritise that position first.

What would Jeremie Frimpong bring to Arsenal?

Frimpong has been superb this season, and would represent excellent market value at £35m. He would be a more attacking option than Ben White or Takehiro Tomiyasu on the right, and could give Arsenal’s defensive depth a significant boost in quality.

The former Celtic defender was admired by current Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou during his time in Glasgow, who previously praised the 22-year-old following his move to Leverkusen.

“He has done really well,” Postecoglou stated in 2021.

“He did well here in the couple of years and I think he would be the first to say his time with Celtic helped him in his career. 

“We gave him that platform on which to perform. He did so and he got a great move after it.”

Frimpong could even be an option on the right wing to help provide cover for Bukayo Saka, and is certainly an interesting target.

If Arsenal do want a wide defender, then they may struggle to find a better option than Frimpong with his price tag, either now or in the summer.

With Timber set to return before the end of the season, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will want another defender now or will be prepared to wait until the summer.