Manchester United report: Red Devils eyeing ex-Manchester City defender

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag during a press conference
(Image credit: Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong – who spent almost a decade in Manchester City's youth set-up.

The Netherlands U21 international is said to be seen as a potential replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has flopped at United since his £50m move from Crystal Palace three years ago.

According to Sky Sport in Germany (via Manchester Evening News), Erik ten Hag is interested in Frimpong, who joined Leverkusen from Celtic In January last year.

Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen on 6 August, 2022 at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany

Frimpong in action for Bayer Leverkusen (Image credit: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Wan-Bissaka – who's been injured for most of the season, playing just four minutes – is contracted at Old Trafford until the summer of 2024, but United may well try to offload him sooner.

Even when fit at the beginning of the campaign, Wan-Bissaka was playing second fiddle at right-back to Diogo Dalot – who has started all 11 of United's league games in 2022/23.

Ten Hag and co. may face a battle to keep hold of Dalot, though: The Mirror reported on Saturday that Real Madrid are targeting the 23-year-old as an alternative to his Portugal teammate, Man City's Joao Cancelo.

It could soon be all change at right-back for United, then, and the versatile Frimpong – who can also operate in a more advanced role on the right wing – is one of the most prodigious prospects around.

Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal on 4 September, 2022 at Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom

In favour: Diogo Dalot (Image credit: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA via Getty Images)

Frimpong – who was born in Amsterdam and grew up in England – has made 61 appearances for Leverkusen and is currently valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt.

He's scored six goals for the Bundesliga outfit, with four of those coming this term – in the form of braces against Mainz and Schalke.

More Manchester United stories

Speculation over Cristiano Ronaldo's Manchester United future has intensified after he refused to come on against Tottenham in midweek, but one club have ruled themselves out of a move – and taken a dig at the superstar for his latest strop. However, Erik ten Hag wants the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to see out his contract at Old Trafford

It has also emerged that Ronaldo didn't receive a single vote for this year's Ballon d'Or, as he finished outside the top three for the first time since 2005.

Meanwhile, United are reportedly prepared to fight it out with Chelsea and PSG to sign Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar – and have been linked with a mega-money move for Atletico Madrid and Portugal forward Joao Felix.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...