Arsenal are going all-out to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad over the summer transfer market and have now turned their attention to Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen.
That is according to Sport Bild, which reports that Arsenal believe Frimpong fits the profile of right-back Arteta wants perfectly. He is among the fastest players in the Bundesliga and has a real offensive presence. While at 22 years old, he still has years ahead of him in the game.
Frimpong clocked the seventh-fastest top speed in the German top-flight over the 2022/23 season at 36 kmh (22.5 mph). Karim Adeyemi of Borussia Dortmund penned the fastest top speed at 36.65 mph (22.7 mph). While Leroy Sane ranked in fifth at 36.3 kmh (22.5m mph).
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Jeremie Frimpong transfer to Arsenal latest
As well as his blistering pace, Frimpong offered the BayArena outfit an attacking threat over the 22/23 campaign. The Amsterdam native registered nine goals and 11 assists through 48 appearances in all competitions. He penned eight goals and seven assists in the Bundesliga.
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Arsenal now believe Frimpong would be the perfect option to strengthen Arteta’s team with a transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. His skills blend with the Spaniard’s desired profile entirely, while also wanting a new challenge. The Dutchman wants to take his next step this summer.
Frimpong has implied for months that he is ready to leave Bayer Leverkusen after two-and-a-half years. Die Werkself paid Celtic an initial £11.5m fee in January 2021 to sign the former Manchester City academy prospect. He headed for Celtic Park in 2019 for an initial £350k.
Manchester United have taken an interest in Frimpong’s potential transfer this year to leave Arsenal facing a potential fight for the Bayer Leverkusen speedster. But the Gunners are now ready to offer Die Werkself up to €40m (£34m) to break his contract running to June 2025.
Bayer Leverkusen are willing to sell Frimpong for the right sum given his desire to embark on a new challenge. BayArena manager Xabi Alonso has also already signed a replacement with Brazilian youngster Arthur moving to North Rhine-Westphalia from America Mineiro in April.
What could Arsenal fans expect from Jeremie Frimpong?
Frimpong has convinced Arsenal of his merit for a transfer to Emirates Stadium after backing up a promising 2021/22 campaign. The full-back offered Bayer Leverkusen six assists and a goal over 25 Bundesliga games that term. He then hit seven assists and eight goals in 22/23.
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Arteta would also sign a player with Champions League experience. Frimpong recorded two assists in five group stage games during 22/23 before offering two more assists and a goal in eight Europa League ties. Die Werkself reached the semi-finals before losing to AS Roma.
His attacking threat and blistering speed would be the two main aspects Arsenal fans could expect from Frimpong should sporting director Edu seal his transfer from Bayer Leverkusen. But Gunners supporters could also expect to see a player with superb technical skills arrive.
“He’s technically strong, incredibly fast and is an attack-minded player,” Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said, via quotes by Bundesliga.com. “He has huge potential.”
Bundesliga.com further quotes former Werkself CEO and current Germany sporting director Rudi Voller as saying on Frimpong: “[He is] young, accomplished on the ball, versatile, with real pace and a very lively style of play.”