Premier League champions Liverpool have another reason to be optimistic in their pursuit of Jeremie Frimpong.
Reports suggest the club is in advanced negotiations to sign the Dutch international from Bayer Leverkusen, the reigning Bundesliga champions.
Frimpong has emerged as Liverpool’s primary target to fill the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set to leave Anfield after more than 20 years and join Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold will reunite with former Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso in Spain, while Frimpong is expected to work under fellow Dutchman Arne Slot at Liverpool.
German outlet Kicker reports that a transfer fee of €40 million is close to being agreed upon for the 24-year-old defender.
In addition to securing a key signing, Liverpool would also benefit from Frimpong’s home-grown status—a significant factor as they prepare for Alexander-Arnold’s departure.
As highlighted by Anything Liverpool on X (formerly Twitter), Frimpong qualifies as a home-grown player. Though born in Amsterdam and never having played senior football in England, he spent nine formative years at Manchester City’s academy before moving to Celtic in 2019. He enjoyed success in Scotland, winning a domestic treble in his debut season, before transferring to Leverkusen in January 2021. He helped the German club finish last season unbeaten in the Bundesliga and claim a double.
Liverpool recently secured their 20th league title and have renewed deals with key players Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk. However, the departure of Alexander-Arnold means losing a home-grown player, making Frimpong’s eligibility all the more valuable.
Premier League regulations require clubs to name a maximum 25-man squad, with no more than 17 non-home-grown players. To reach full squad size, at least eight players must meet home-grown criteria.
The Premier League defines a home-grown player as someone who has spent at least three full seasons or 36 months at an FA- or FAW-affiliated club before turning 21.
Since Frimpong spent nearly a decade in Manchester City’s academy, he comfortably meets that threshold. Should he join Liverpool, he would effectively replace Alexander-Arnold both in position and in fulfilling the home-grown quota.