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7 hours ago
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Liverpool are reportedly closing in on a deal to bring Jeremie Frimpong to Anfield this summer.
The Reds head into the coming months as Premier League champions after an incredible first season at the club for Arne Slot.
The Dutch coach will have a sizeable transfer budget to work with ahead of the 2025/26 season with a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold his first priority.
Liverpool are ready to activate Frimpong's £30m [$40m] release clause at Bayer Leverkusen as the first move on Slot's summer agenda.
Bournemouth's left-back Milos Kerkez is another target for Slot as he looks to bring in more defensive cover alongside veterans Vigil van Dijk and Andy Robertson on Merseyside.
Frimpong's attacking profile looks to fit perfectly as a fresh face to come in but Conor Bradley remains crucial for Slot.
The Northern Ireland international has recently signed a contract extension until 2029 and club legend Didi Hamann believes Frimpong may end up being moved to a new position.
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What did Didi Hamann say on Frimpong's Liverpool role?
Hamann made 280 appearances for Liverpool from 1999 to 2006, wining two FA Cups, and the infamous 2005 UEFA Champions League final in Istanbul.
The former Germany international thins Frimpong's arrival will put pressure on Slot's enduring message of faith on Bradley with Mohamed Salah unmoveable on Liverpool's right-side.
"If Arne Slot decides Conor Bradley should be first choice, which is likely, there's a possibility Jeremie Frimpong plays a bit further forward," Hamann told Betting Lounge.
"He plays on the right-hand side, but obviously, Salah occupies that position. You could even use him on the left because he's got a lot of pace.
"They've got the right-back position well covered and Bradley has done so well, he's signed a new contract. But next season, there might be 55 games including internationals if Liverpool go deep in competitions."
Hamann's point is a reminder of the incoming demands of 2025/26 - despite Liverpool not being involved in this summer's FIFA Club World Cup - with Slot keen to progress further in the UCL than he managed in 2024/25.
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