Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is apparently in direct contact with Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold's expected move to Real Madrid.
Following months of uncertainty surrounding the future of Alexander-Arnold, it was reported on Monday evening that the England international had made the decision to sign for the Champions League holders.
Alexander-Arnold has been free to engage in discussions with Carlo Ancelotti's side since entering the last six months of his deal in January, and he is now said to have reached a pre-contract agreement with Los Blancos.
As Alexander-Arnold prepares to join Real Madrid on a five-year contract, Reds boss Slot will be scoping out replacements for the 26-year-old, whose position can currently be covered by Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez.
It remains to be seen whether Slot views Bradley ready to become Liverpool's first-choice right-back, though, while Gomez is out with a hamstring injury and could also push to leave in the summer.
Slot 'in direct contact' with Leverkusen's Frimpong
© Imago
Instead, Sky Sports journalist Sacha Tavolieri - via the Liverpool Echo - claims that the Dutchman is now in direct discussions with Frimpong over a return to England for the former Manchester City defender.
Frimpong spent nine years at the Etihad from 2010 to 2019 before making the switch to Celtic, where he remained for one-and-a-half seasons before joining Bayer Leverkusen for just £9.2m.
The 24-year-old has since blossomed into one of Europe's finest attacking full-backs under Xabi Alonso, having a direct hand in 69 goals in 182 matches for Leverkusen, 29 of his own and 40 assists.
Frimpong was a key component of Die Werkself's Bundesliga-winning crop last season and still has three years left to run on his Leverkusen contract, but a big-money summer transfer has inevitably been mooted.
Slot is said to be determined to win the race for his fellow Dutchman when the summer window opens, and Liverpool have supposedly already been handed a boost in their efforts due to a fellow European giant pulling out of the race.
Would Frimpong be a good fit for Liverpool?
© Imago
No right-back who fills Alexander-Arnold's boots at Liverpool should be able to replicate what the Englishman brings - an astonishing passing range - and there may be some reservations about a deal for Frimpong.
The 24-year-old's talent and attacking qualities are undeniable, but his best work comes as a wing-back - where he has licence to bomb up and down the flank - as opposed to an out-and-out full-back.
That is not to say that Frimpong is a complete novice to functioning as a pure right-back, but maybe Liverpool would be better off pursuing an option who is more well-versed in playing in a back four.
Reported alternative Givairo Read - who represents Slot's former club Feyenoord - is a potential alternative, although he is only 18 years old and would therefore be Bradley's junior.
Ben Knapton
