Jeremie Frimpong's transfer to Liverpool is likely to be announced within the next two days, Reds transfer expert David Lynch has claimed.
Despite the Merseysiders losing 3-2 against Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday night, supporters were seen celebrating a successful season at the Amex Stadium.
Fans may soon have more to cheer about considering Liverpool could imminently confirm the arrival of Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Frimpong, who is eyed by some as a successor to Trent Alexander-Arnold and is said to have already completed a medical.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch insisted that an announcement could take place in the next 48 hours, saying: "It's my understanding he's been in England over the last 48 hours or so, putting the finishing touches to a move. I wouldn't be shocked if [an announcement was made] today.
"There was a desire to avoid announcing a signing on a game day for Liverpool, but I wouldn't rule out that he'd be announced either today or tomorrow, so just keep an eye on that. There's no reason for Liverpool to delay. Leverkusen's season is over, they can trigger that release clause now.
"By all accounts, the move is very close now, and that could be the first signing of the summer wrapped up, and that gives you an insight into how proactive Liverpool want to be. They want to get their business done early so that the manager can have something he was completely denied last summer, which was a full pre-season with his squad."
Liverpool still have one game left to play before the 2024-25 season is concluded, but their proactive approach to this summer window could help the likes of Frimpong adjust to boss Arne Slot's demands before the start of 2025-26.
Who will be first-choice right-back?
Frimpong has excelled as an offensive wing-back for Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso, but his imminent arrival at Anfield raises questions about who the starting right-back under Slot will be.
Conor Bradley featured against Brighton and the defender managed to produce an assist for Harvey Elliott in the first half, showcasing his attacking quality.
Lynch argued that Bradley will still likely be seen as the number one right-back despite Frimpong's desire to start, when he told Sports Mole: "I wonder whether the thinking with Bradley is he needed a fail-safe if his injury problems persist, and if he has ups and downs, which is natural for a very young player - sometimes you're going to need to take him out of the firing line.
"That was why I was a little bit sceptical about the idea of Frimpong signing, because he does seem a little high profile to come in and be a backup, and Conor Bradley is way too good to be backup to anybody else as well, so you have that competing element."
Bradley has frequently suffered injury problems, so perhaps Slot plans to regularly rotate him in order to preserve his fitness for the biggest games of the 2025-26 campaign.
© Imago
Where else could Frimpong play?
During his time in Germany, Frimpong often positioned himself high on the right flank, with his role in possession effectively that of a forward player.
Considering Mohamed Salah will be departing Liverpool in the winter to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations for Egypt, the Reds will need to find ways of coping without their talisman.
Lynch suggested that Frimpong could be utilised as an auxiliary forward option next term, telling Sports Mole: "I wonder with Frimpong whether they see him as that backup winger as well on the right-hand side. That was what Chiesa was supposed to be to Salah this season. Maybe Frimpong can be that and see slightly more minutes than Chiesa did this year, or maybe even play at left-back from time to time.
"Frimpong's a very good player, well known through Europe and would obviously want to play fairly frequently. The fact he is versatile is what makes the deal make sense, and that will still allow Conor Bradley to still be that first-choice right-back."
Considering Frimpong has managed to score five goals and provide nine assists for Leverkusen in 2024-25, it would not be surprising if Slot looked to make the most of his attacking talents in the absence of Salah.
Lewis Nolan
