Leverkusen succession planning and Celtic’s Frimpong Windfall

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The Celtic Star

·15 February 2023

Leverkusen succession planning and Celtic’s Frimpong Windfall

According to a report by German publication Kicker, Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen are currently in the process of succession planning for former Hoops star Jeremie Frimpong departing the club. Managing Director, Simon Rolfes is eyeing up a move for highly courted Ivan Fresneda, who Celtic were linked with recently.

Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer 04 Leverkusen is challenged by Josip Juranovic of Celtic during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Bayer Leverkusen and Celtic FC at BayArena on November 25, 2021 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Getty Images)

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It is thought that a bid of around €15 million will be enough to prize the young full-back away from Real Valladolid’s clutches and Leverkusen are already putting in place a contingency for a transfer domino effect taking place in the marketplace come the summer of 2023. This would involve the former Bhoys right-back Frimpong leaving the club.

With Frimpong being linked continuously with Erik ten Hag of Manchester United amongst a litany of others, the Dutchman could fetch to upwards of £50 million it is thought. That figure would give the Celtic powerbrokers a mammoth financial remuneration of multi million pounds from a deal that saw us pocket £11 million, whilst including a 30% sell-on clause which took him to Bavaria.

Jeremie Frimpong is challenged by Cameron Carter-Vickers during the UEFA Europa League group G match between Bayer Leverkusen and Celtic FC at BayArena on November 25, 2021. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Getty Images)

That figure would be astronomical for the Bhoys to earn for doing nothing and to put it in perspective; that’s about what the Hoops get for qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage. Remarkable doesn’t even begin to cut it of it turns out to be reality when Frimpong leaves Germany for pastures new.

The report in Kicker also states that Leverkusen may be eager to cash in as Jeremie’s contract expires in 2025, with the heirarchy determined to ensure they make a return on a player they shelled out eight figures for a couple of years back. It is reported that both he and Moussa Diaby, who is attracting Premier League interest, could be made available transfer if the price is right for the Werkself.

This is definitely one to keep an eye on…

Paul Gillespie

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