Barcelona Targets Premier Full-Back Jeremy Frimpong for Squad Reinforcement

Barcelona’s Search for a Top-Class Defender

FC Barcelona is actively pursuing a high-caliber defender to bolster its squad for the upcoming season. The club management is exploring various options based on investment capabilities that will become clearer in June, with Jeremy Frimpong emerging as their top target. The Bayer Leverkusen defender has received multiple offers but, according to Sky Germany, Barcelona stands out as his preferred destination if he departs from the Bundesliga.

Recent Transfer Strategy and Player Needs

Barcelona has outlined its priorities and contractual conditions for prospective signings. However, completing the purchase of Frimpong hinges on the club’s ability to sell players first. Head coach Hansi Flick was aware of the positional deficiencies in defense prior to his appointment, having expressed concerns to director Deco during their initial discussions. Last summer, only Dani Olmo was signed, as the focus primarily remained on retaining existing talents. An eleventh-hour attempt was made to acquire young player Marc Povol from Almería on loan, but no agreement was reached.

In recent months, Flick has repeatedly emphasized the pressing need for reinforcement in a defense that has been severely weakened due to injuries to key players. Deco has been leaning towards finalizing a list of candidates for the left-back position, including Brazilian players Wanderson from Monaco and Dodo from Fiorentina, as well as potential targets like Povol and Gibril Van De Brand from Feyenoord.

Evaluation of Current Defensive Squad

While Barcelona is satisfied with Jules Koundé’s performance, the Frenchman has faced limitations in attacking contributions and endured a physically taxing season. Flick also lacks confidence in domestic option Héctor Bellerín, leading to a significant defensive hole that requires rectification. Both the coach and the executive team concur that any acquisition must be for a top player, rather than a mediocre start whose low prstart does not sufficiently convince the management.

Financial Considerations and Market Value

Estimates suggest that Brazilian players’ values hover around €20 million, while younger talents are valued at about €10 million. Conversely, Frimpong’s starting prstart is set between €35 and €40 million—an amount defined in his release clause that Bayer Leverkusen is reportedly unwilling to negotiate on. Frimpong has been with Bayer Leverkusen for five seasons, and his contract runs until 2028. While both parties recognize that this summer could be an ideal opportunity for a mutually agreeable separation, internal changes, including coach Xabi Alonso’s departure, may signal the commencement of a new project that could involve the exit of other key players like Florian Wirtz.

Premier League Interest and Barcelona’s Position

So far, Frimpong has encountered offers from the Premier League, but he has expressed a desire to transition to La Liga. With Real Madrid having closed in on the signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold—who will contest the right-back position with Dani Carvajal—Barcelona appears to be Frimpong’s only viable option in Spain. However, whether the club can secure his signature remains uncertain, especially as they also seek to recruit a top winger to strengthen their attacking front.

Only two potential player departures, coupled with income from player sales where the club holds partial rights, would pave the way for this pivotal deal to occur