Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong had “already said goodbye” to the German club as Manchester United and Barcelona chased his signature last summer.
That’s according to BILD journalist Axel Hesse, who has revealed to Voetbal International that the failure to secure a transfer was “a setback” for the full-back.
Frimpong was linked with a move away from Bayer Leverkusen throughout the summer transfer window after a season which saw him rack up nine goals and 11 assists in 48 games in all competitions of for the Bundesliga outfit.
Those are impressive numbers for a full-back and earned him attention around Europe, particularly from Manchester United.
Numerous reports from Germany indicated they were keen on the Dutchman, with Erik ten Hag unconvinced by Aaron Wan Bissaka and Diogo Dalot.
A report at the end of May indicated that a move to Old Trafford was pretty much a done deal, with Bayer Leverkusen having already secured a replacement and seemingly convinced he was on the way too.
That transfer never ended up happening, though, with Manchester United instead preferring to spend their money elsewhere on improving Ten Hag’s squad.
That was a disappointment for Frimpong, according to Hesse, who does however believe it won’t be long before he’s moving somewhere else anyway.
“If you had asked me after last season whether Jeremie would still play for Leverkusen, I would have thought it impossible,” Voetbal Primeur report him saying.
“Major clubs had shown interest, there were contacts with Barcelona and Manchester United at an early stage. That (failed exit) was a setback for him, because I think he had already said goodbye to the club in his mind.
“He plays a big role in the team that is not only at the top of the Bundesliga, but also plays the best football in Germany. As a wingback he has become a great weapon.
“After the market closed, he signed a new contract, which includes a release clause of €40m for next summer. If he continues to play like this, he will definitely be sold. Spanish football is tailor-made for him. If you If you ask me, Jeremie is the ideal back for a team like Barcelona.”
