Liverpool have officially confirmed the signing of Dutch defender Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for £29.5 million, marking their first major move of the summer transfer window. The 24-year-old, who has signed a five-year contract until 2030, arrives as a versatile and dynamic addition to Arne Slot’s squad, capable of playing as a right-back or in a more advanced wing role. The transfer, finalized after Liverpool triggered Frimpong’s release clause earlier this month, comes on the same day the club announced Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid for £10 million, signaling a swift response to replace the outgoing star.
Frimpong, a product of Manchester City’s academy, rose to prominence during his four-and-a-half-year spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he made 190 appearances, scoring 30 goals and providing 44 assists. His standout performances under former manager Xabi Alonso helped Leverkusen secure an unbeaten Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in the 2023-24 season, establishing him as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking full-backs. Known for his blistering pace—clocking 36.34kph, the seventh-fastest in the Bundesliga this season—and flair in one-on-one situations, Frimpong brings a unique skill set to Anfield. His versatility aligns with Slot’s tactical vision, with plans to utilize him both defensively and as a potential cover for Mohamed Salah during the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Netherlands international, who has 12 senior caps, expressed his enthusiasm for the move, telling Liverpool’s official website, “Liverpool fans, I’m going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate, and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together.” Frimpong also revealed that teammate Virgil van Dijk provided insights into the expectations at Liverpool, while his discussions with Slot, a fellow Dutchman, left him excited about the project at the Premier League champions. Reflecting on his time at Leverkusen, Frimpong paid a classy tribute to his former club, acknowledging their role in his development into an elite talent.
Liverpool’s recruitment drive doesn’t end with Frimpong. The club is reportedly in advanced negotiations to sign his former Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz, with a club-record bid of £109 million (€130 million) submitted for the German playmaker. Sources indicate that Wirtz, who favors a move to Liverpool over Bayern Munich, could soon follow Frimpong to Merseyside, further bolstering Slot’s attacking options. The Reds are also linked with Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez as they seek to strengthen the left-back position, suggesting an ambitious transfer window aimed at building on their recent Premier League title success.
Frimpong’s arrival has sparked excitement among fans and pundits alike. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy praised his potential to deputize for Salah and compete with Conor Bradley, who recently signed a new four-year deal, for the right-back spot. However, questions remain about Frimpong’s adaptation to a traditional back-four system, given his experience as a wing-back in Leverkusen’s 3-4-3 setup. Analysts note that while his attacking prowess is undeniable, with 26 goal involvements in 47 matches last season, his defensive consistency will be tested in the Premier League’s demanding environment.
Bayer Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, lauded Frimpong’s journey, stating, “Jeremie is a perfect example of the path taken by Bayer 04 Leverkusen: bringing in a young, highly talented player from a smaller league, developing him into a key player to achieve targets, and thereby making him attractive to top European clubs.” Frimpong’s move marks a return to English football after a stint at Celtic in 2019-20, where he won a Scottish Premiership title, adding to his growing list of accolades.