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Man Utd transfer news: Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong a target for Erik ten Hag's side

Man Utd are keen on signing Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong; Dutchman's contract runs until the summer of 2025; Frimpong is thriving as a right wing-back under Xabi Alonso, with eight goals and nine assists this season; 21-year-old formerly played for Man City and Celtic

29 January 2023, North Rhine-Westphalia, Leverkusen: Soccer: Bundesliga, Bayer Leverkusen - Borussia Dortmund, Matchday 18 at BayArena, Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong gestures. IMPORTANT NOTE: In accordance with the requirements of the DFL Deutsche Fu'ball Liga and the DFB Deutscher Fu'ball-Bund, it is prohibited to use or have used photographs taken in the stadium and/or of the match in the form of sequence pictures and/or video-like photo series. Photo by: Marius Becker/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
Image: Jeremie Frimpong joined Bayer Leverkusen from Celtic in January 2021

Manchester United are interested in Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, according to Sky Germany.

Frimpong - who is under contract with the Bundesliga club until June 2025 - has excelled under Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso this season.

The former Liverpool midfielder has deployed the 21-year-old as a right wing-back since taking charge earlier in the season, with Frimpong responding with eight goals and nine assists in all competitions this season.

The former Manchester City and Celtic defender scored again last weekend as Leverkusen beat Schalke 3-0, with Alonso's side now seventh in the Bundesliga as they chase European qualification.

Frimpong's displays earned him a place in the Netherlands squad for the World Cup but - under former United boss Louis van Gaal - he failed to make an appearance.

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Frimpong is still waiting to make his international debut and was left out of new Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman's first squad for last month's Euro 2024 Qualifiers.

Frimpong began his career at City but failed to make a first-team appearance before joining Celtic in September 2019.

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He played 51 times for the Scottish champions before moving to Leverkusen in January 2021.

Erik ten Hag has called on Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back since becoming United manager in the summer, with the former playing 33 times and the latter on 22 occasions this season.

Both players see their contracts expire at the end of next season, with Dalot having his deal extended by an extra 12 months in December last year.

Frimpong: Who he is and what are his strengths?

Sky Sports' Adam Smith

JEREMIE Frimpong

Frimpong started his career at Manchester City but joined Celtic for £1m in 2019 and clocked 51 appearances for the Scottish club over two years before switching to Bayer Leverkusen in 2021.

The wing-back's talents have came to fore in Germany, especially this season - with 15 goal involvements in the Bundesliga this term and another three assists in the Champions League and Europa League.

Jeremie Frimpong factfile

  • Position: Right-back
  • Age: 22
  • Club: Bayer Leverkusen
  • Previous clubs: Man City and Celtic
  • Nationality: Netherlands
  • Senior International caps: 0
  • Height: 5 ft 7 in

The burgeoning form prompted Louis van Gaal to include the 22-year-old in his final Netherlands squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but he failed to make his senior International debut at the tournament - having represented his country at U19, U20 and U21 levels.

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Coupled with goal threat, the Manchester City graduate possesses an unrivalled engine for bursts of explosive pace - registering a league-topping 834 sprints in the Bundesliga this term - while only four other players in the division have registered a faster top speed.

Frimpong also provides versatility as a wing-back, having been used in full-back and midfield roles, while only Jude Bellingham has recorded more completed dribbles, which has contributed to winning 54 fouls for his side - the fifth highest tally in the division.

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The pass map below reveals how he typically exchanges with team-mates midway inside in his own box or just inside the opposition's half down his right channel - while there is an abundance of activity closer to the opposition box.

A lower passing accuracy with his distribution directed upfield reveals an area for improvement, but also suggests the wing-back isn't afraid of playing more adventurous passes to cut through opponents' defensive lines.

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The numbers paint a youngster in ascent, with pedigree and a long, international future on the horizon. In short, United would be signing a versatile player, capable of playing at full-back, wing-back and in midfield - providing pace, energy and serious goal threat.

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