Liverpool transfer news: Arne Slot 'rules out' move for 24-year-old as Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement

5 hours ago 1

Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong is reportedly not a concrete transfer target for Liverpool in 2025, as Arne Slot prefers a traditional right-back.

Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong is supposedly not a 'concrete target' for Liverpool amid speculation over Trent Alexander-Arnold's future.

In just 10 days' time, Alexander-Arnold will be free to enter talks with foreign clubs over a pre-contract agreement, as he has still not agreed a renewal with the Premier League leaders.

The England international is still thought to be Real Madrid's top candidate to succeed long-serving right-back Dani Carvajal, although Alexander-Arnold has supposedly not told Liverpool that he wants to leave.

Sporting director Richard Hughes is working to tie Alexander-Arnold to fresh terms while also handling Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk's situations, but contingency plans are being drawn up in case the former decides to jump ship.

Slot's fellow Dutchman Frimpong has been mentioned as a possible candidate to fill Alexander-Arnold's boots at Liverpool, having blossomed into one of Europe's best attacking full-backs during his time at Leverkusen.

Why are Liverpool not pursuing Frimpong deal?

Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured on November 24, 2024 © Imago

Frimpong has been directly involved in 67 goals in 166 games for the Bundesliga champions - 27 of his own and 40 assists - and he has already amassed two goals and eight assists in all tournaments this season.

According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool have indeed been impressed by what they have seen from Frimpong over the past couple of seasons, but he is not a firm name on their radar.

Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso favours a wing-back system, meaning that Frimpong has little experience of playing as an out-and-out right-back in a back four, the formation that Liverpool utilise.

As a result, Slot would prefer to bring in a defender who is more comfortable in a traditional right-back role, and Frimpong is therefore not a 'concrete target' for the Merseyside giants.

The 24-year-old - who previously represented Celtic and Manchester City - would not arrive at Anfield on the cheap either, as he is under contract at the BayArena until 2028.

What other Trent replacements could Liverpool target?

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold pictured on October 23, 2024 © Imago

Liverpool are still banking on Alexander-Arnold snubbing interest from Real Madrid and choosing to continue his career at Anfield, but they have supposedly earmarked an audacious replacement should he decide to quit.

Indeed, Chelsea's Malo Gusto is rumoured to be on the radar of Anfield chiefs, while Paris Saint-Germain's Achraf Hakimi has also been tipped to make the switch to Anfield.

The Reds are one of a handful of clubs said to be monitoring the progress of Sporting Lisbon's Geovany Quenda too, but as is the case with Frimpong, he is more comfortable as a wing-back.

In the meantime, Conor Bradley has proven himself to be a capable deputy for Alexander-Arnold, but Calvin Ramsay's career at Anfield is yet to take off, so Liverpool will no doubt enter the market if they cannot retain the services of their academy graduate.

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