Have Manchester City made their move to sign Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong? The champions may be in the market for a new right-back this summer. It does appear to be a position that needs strengthening for the world champions. A new report indicates that City have identified the Bayer Leverkusen full-back as a possible candidate to strengthen their stocks at right-back.
A report for hitc.com from Graeme Bailey, which was relayed by Dan Owen, indicates that Manchester City has held talks with Jeremie Frimpong. The report indicates that City and Frimpong have opened talks about the right-back returning to the club. Furthermore, Owen reports that Manchester City are currently doing checks about Frimpong’s availability as they look into the overall cost of a potential deal. It is also included in Dan Owen’s report that there is a £34 million release clause in Frimpong’s current contract. Owen adds that Manchester United, Arsenal, and Aston Villa also hold interest in signing Frimpong.
Does the potential addition of Jeremie Frimpong hint at a change in Pep Guardiola’s tactics next season?
As a full-back, Frimpong thrives as an attacking option. He has been able to showcase this during the season for Bayer Leverkusen. Across this season, he has scored 14 goals and added 12 assists from Xabi Alonso’s all conquering side. He has been an attacking weapon all season for Leverkusen as they stand on the brink of completing an unbeaten season.
But Manchester City’s reported interest in Frimpong does pose another question. Is Pep Guardiola looking at a tactical shift next season? This season has Josko Gvardiol thrive at left-back. The Croatian international has become a valuable weapon for City going forward. His immense technical ability has stood out as he has made the role his own.
At right-back, Kyle Walker has played a more advanced role at times. While Walker has shown he is capable of playing the role, his end product isn’t at the same level as that of Jeremie Frimpong. Defensively, Walker is a far more secure option at right-back than Frimpong. But as an attacking option, the Bayer Leverkusen full-back would add another devastating weapon to City’s squad.
The prospect of Gvardiol at left-back and Frimpong at right-back is a mouth-watering proposition. It would allow Manchester City to have two attacking full-backs on the pitch. Their pairing would be a nightmare for City’s opponents. The only time when Pep Guardiola had similar options available was when City first signed Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy. Before Benjamin Mendy succumbed to severe knee injuries that crippled his career, the early signs of that combination in the full-back positions were full of promise.
Summary
It is a tantalising prospect the thought of Manchester City bringing Jeremie Frimpong back to the club. He has shown this season at Bayer Leverkusen that he is an elite attacking option from right-back. His game appears ideally suited to life under Pep Guardiola if the City manager does tweak his system for next season.
If City can bring in Frimpong, they will add a quality attacking option. With a reported £34 million release clause, it does seem to be an easy deal for the champions to complete. Everything points to the fact that if Manchester City have made their move for the Bayer Leverkusen full-back. He appears ideally suited to a role in Pep Guardiola’s squad if they can complete a deal for Frimpong.
