Better signing than Frimpong: Liverpool ready bid for "world-class" talent
da mrbet： Why don’t we park the negativity for a moment: Liverpool have won the Premier League in Arne Slot’s season, and with plenty of time to spare at that.
da apostebet： You may have seen on social media that Slot is partying out in Ibiza, while Virgil van Dijk has taken the lads off to Dubai for a mini-break to celebrate Trent Alexander-Arnold before his contentious move to Real Madrid as a free agent.
This is amusing to watch, not least because the Reds still have to play Brighton & Hove Albion at the AMEX on Sunday before the culminating game of the campaign against Crystal Palace at Anfield in two weeks. But it highlights the club’s staggering success this year, so dominant throughout.
To think that FSG’s new iteration achieved league gold with only Federico Chiesa added to the first-team squad. Signings are needed now, and no mistake, with sporting director Richard Hughes acting swiftly to seal a deal for Jeremie Frimpong, Liverpool’s right-back-in-waiting.
Why Liverpool are signing Jeremie Frimpong
Frimpong has scored 30 goals and supplied 44 assists across 190 matches for Bayer Leverkusen. The 24-year-old is rapid, physically robust and dynamic, and if Liverpool’s data-driven team are convinced, fans should be too.
According to Fabrizio Romano, advanced discussions are underway, with details pertaining to the structure of the €35m (about £30m) release clause being ironed out.
Frimpong differs greatly from Alexander-Arnold but he will add an attacking dimension to Liverpool’s backline, ranking among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues this term for goal contributions and the top 2% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.
Jeremie Frimpong at Bayer Leverkusen (all comps)
Season
Apps
Goals
Assists
24/25
48
5
12
23/24
47
14
12
22/23
48
9
11
21/22
34
2
8
20/21
13
0
1
Stats via Transfermarkt
The Netherlands star will be a great addition, one who will tussle with Conor Bradley for that number one spot. However, Liverpool are planning surgery across three quarters of the backline, and there’s an even better deal currently in the works.
Liverpool lead race for new defender
While Milos Kerkez remains the top target at left-back, it’s unlikely Liverpool will advance their intrigue, given Bournemouth still have it all to play for in the Premier League.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Dean Huijsen also plays for the Cherries, but the young centre-back is being pursued by almost every top team worth their salt, with a £50m release clause that demands a decision on his future in the coming weeks.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Liverpool are ready to lodge an official bid for Huijsen to trigger that clause, though Real Madrid are interested too and it’s felt the young star would be interested in moving to the Spanish capital.
Of course, Liverpool are an interesting destination themselves. According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, not only is a decision is forthcoming, but Liverpool are alongside Arsenal in leading the race.
A decision will indeed be made soon, and FSG must surely be ready to seal the deal with a first major central defensive signing since Ibrahima Konate arrived from RB Leipzig for £36m in May 2021.
Why Dean Huijsen would be Slot's perfect signing
Romano’s revelation suggests a conclusion to this saga will be found soon, and FSG must ensure they are doing all they can to complete Slot’s backline with the young star.
Huijsen really is “the most in-demand centre-back in the world,” as has been noted by analyst Ben Mattinson. At the moment, the race is absolutely open, and Liverpool can only do all they can to convince the Spain international that Anfield presents the best step forward in his career.
Joining Bournemouth from Juventus in a deal worth £15m last summer, Huijsen has established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout young stars, playing every minute of his side’s past 23 fixtures.
Would it be fair to say he’d be a better signing than Frimpong for Slot’s trophy-winning Reds? In fairness, Huijsen is regarded as the “ultimate modern-day centre-back” by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp, and he’s got the statistics to back it up.
As per Sofascore, the 20-year-old has averaged almost three tackles and interceptions per game this term, winning 61% of his aerial battles and keeping seven clean sheets for Andoni Iraola’s side. It’s hardly surprising he’s been named a “world-class” star in the making by one analyst.
Honestly, there’s no question really that he’d be a better signing than Frimpong, not least having proven himself in the Premier League, while bearing all the traits needed to become a superstar in Slot’s Liverpool set-up. Who knows, given his left-footed inclination, maybe Huijsen could even succeed Van Dijk on the left side.
As per FBref, Huijsen ranks among the top 7% of defenders in the Premier League this season for goal involvements, the top 7% for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90, effectively illustrating a technical aptitude and athletic ability that marry into his core defensive quality.
Given the uncertainty around Ibrahima Konate, who has been confirmed to have seen contract talks stagnate with just one year remaining on his current deal, Liverpool must surely accelerate their plans to sign Huijsen, insofar as such efforts will hold any sway. Of course, they can canvass a proposal for the ages, one which promises a standout role in a standout team.
We’d love to watch Huijsen spray balls out into the path of an electric-bursting Frimpong next season, but there’s no question the Spanish man is the one that FSG should go for, should they need to prioritise.
Related A Salah-esque signing: Liverpool agree personal terms with "insane" target
Liverpool are ready to begin their summer shopping spree.