Manchester United could spoil an Arsenal summer transfer, by toppling a couple of dominoes of their own.
United have recent history when it comes to foiling the north Londoners, with fans of both sides seeing the other club as significant rivals, given that the pair fought against one another for titles in the era of Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson. Last summer, Manchester United and Arsenal went head-to-head over the signing of Lisandro Martinez, with the Red Devils winning the battle.
This season, the two teams have reignited their rivalry, as Erik ten Hag and Mikel Arteta look to restore their respective teams back to their former glory. Now, United could get one over their rivals once more by scuppering their plans in the transfer market again and leave them scrambling for another Plan B.
According to German outlet Kicker, United are looking to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, as Ten Hag strengthens his squad with a right-back capable of providing competition to Diogo Dalot.
This would have a direct knock-on effect at the Emirates Stadium, however. Frimpong's exit would leave the Bundesliga side looking to recruit Ivan Fresneda – a target for the Gunners in January.
Ultimately, Fresneda's agent revealed that a £13 million move was postponed to allow the 18-year-old to continue his development – but he called Arsenal a “big club”.
“Fresneda will be at Real Valladolid until the end of the season,” Luis Bardaji told AS. “We want him to have his feet on the ground and in other teams, he was not going to have the continuity he needs now.”
While Fresneda is a midfielder-like full-back compared to the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Frimpong is more of a winger-type. The Dutchman has played down the right wing for Leverkusen in the past and would be the kind of full-back who could allow the likes of Antony to cut inside a little more and drift centrally.
Frimpong is valued at €25 million by Transfermarkt.
More Arsenal and Manchester United stories
Formal bids are set to be submitted to buy United. The club had a quiet January window but brought in Marcel Sabitzer on deadline day after Christian Eriksen picked up a long-term injury.
Arsenal look like investing well this summer, according to reports. Interest in Declan Rice is ramping up – and the Gunners may have to break their transfer record for him – while Folarin Balogun's form on loan is posing interesting questions for Arteta.
Meanwhile, Glen Johnson has stated that Arsenal's success is temporary.
