Trent Alexander-Arnold has yet to agree to sign a new contract and Liverpool are growing increasingly impatient. The defender’s representatives have been in talks with the club but there has been no breakthrough in the negotiations. Richard Hughes won’t be doing his job if he is not actively looking for a replacement even though the club’s priority is to hold on to the 26-year-old.
The defender is less than a month away from being free to discuss a pre-contract with clubs outside England over a move in the summer. Real Madrid are expected to make their formal offer to him in January.
Liverpool are still locked in talks with the player’s camp but so far, they are nowhere close to agreeing on a new deal with the defender. The club do not want to lose one of the greatest success stories of their academy but are also growing impatient.
Hughes and his recruitment team have been looking at right-backs across Europe and conducting due diligence on several identified targets.
Jeremie Frimpong has been identified as the top target and Liverpool are keen to bring in the Bayer Leverkusen winger if they lose Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid.
According to Sky Sports, there has already been contact between the player and Liverpool over a potential move to Anfield in the next summer transfer window.
The Dutchman is expected to leave Leverkusen at the end of the season and it has been claimed that he has already given his approval to a transfer to Liverpool next season.
Jeremie Frimpong is the ideal replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold
Frimpong was the standout attacking full-back last season when he was pivotal to Leverkusen losing just one game all season in all competitions.
His form has seen a dip this season but he remains highly coveted because of the attacking thrust he brings to a team from the right-back position.
Liverpool would need someone with attacking instincts at right-back if Alexander-Arnold leaves and Frimpong is probably the ideal replacement for him.
Can you name the team Liverpool sold these players to?
Yes, it would add some more pressure on the defence and a tweak in tactics would be needed but the Dutch full-back is worth it. Arne Slot would want his attacking instincts in the team next season if he does not have Alexander-Arnold.
While losing the 26-year-old will be a PR nightmare, Liverpool will go a long way to calm down the fans if they bring in Frimpong to replace Alexander-Arnold.
His playing style and demeanour will make him an instant fan-favourite at Anfield and add something different to Slot’s squad.
