Man Utd U-turn sees Arsenal sweep in for £35m ace who’ll torment Prem defenders
A Man Utd star has won Erik ten Hag over, with Arsenal now in the clear to sign the player who was eyed as his unstoppable upgrade, per reports.
Back in the winter window the future of Aaron Wan-Bissaka at Old Trafford was under a dark cloud. Indeed, Wan-Bissaka was immediately deemed a poor fit for Ten Hag due to his attacking limitations.
As such, Diogo Dalot was quickly installed as first choice at right-back, though an injury absence saw Wan-Bissaka afforded a chance to shine around the turn of the year.
The former Crystal Palace star did not disappoint, earning rave reviews for his dominant defensive displays. Wan-Bissaka even grabbed an acrobatic assist in the EFL Cup fourth round tie with Burnley. United would go on to win that competition two months later.
Fabrizio Romano claimed a Wan-Bissaka exit was touch and go in January, though his impressive displays earned a stay of execution.
Fast forward to present day and Ten Hag has put signing a new right-back on the backburner. Instead, landing Andre Onana and a new striker are far more pressing concerns.
“There were some doubts about Wan-Bissaka’s future earlier in the year, but it’s not something being discussed now,” Romano told CaughtOffside.
“Man Utd have a number of other priorities at the moment – they have to resolve the Andre Onana situation, sign a new striker, clarify centre-backs situation and then we will see.
“Wan-Bissaka did excellent in second part of the season so this will become a topic only in case they receive an important bid, not a loan or similar.”
Arsenal free to snatch Man Utd target; talks underway
The player Man Utd were widely reported to be eyeing up as an attacking upgrade on Wan-Bissaka was Jeremie Frimpong.
Indeed, as recently as mid-May Man Utd were labelled as being in ‘advanced discussions’ over a move by BILD.
The pacy Dutchman, 22, plies his trade for Bayer Leverkusen at club level. He operated at both wing-back and a more conventional right-back last term and was near-impossible to stop from deeper positions.
Indeed, despite playing in defence, Frimpong remarkably notched nine goals and 11 assists across all competitions last season. But for the equally impressive Denzel Dumfries, Frimpong would’ve been Netherlands’ starter at right wing-back during the World Cup.
But with a move to Man Utd no longer viable, the door is now ajar for Arsenal to complete a shock move of their own.
The Gunners are on the cusp of signing fellow Dutchman Jurrien Timber from Ajax. Timber can operate at both right-back and centre-half, though per BILD and journalist Stefan Bienkowski, Arsenal want a more attack-minded option too.
Frimpong is the player in their sights, with Bienkowski reporting exploratory talks have been held. Football London confirmed the Gunners hold an ‘active interest’ in Frimpong.
Elsewhere, BILD claimed Arsenal love the fact Frimpong can also cover at left-back if required. As such, his arrival could be the catalyst that sees Kieran Tierney sold.
On the subject of cost, Fabrizio Romano claimed Leverkusen will sell upwards of £35m this summer. What’s more, Leverkusen have already signed Frimpong’s successor in the form of Brazil international Arthur. The 20-year-old arrived from Brazilian side America Mineiro in a €7m deal.
Romano told the Born and Red YouTube channel: “[Frimpong] has new agents now, or better to say that his original agents parted with new agents, so this is what was going on.
“From what I’m hearing, this is an expensive player this summer because I’m told that Bayer Leverkusen could start negotiations only from £35m.
“There was a big opportunity in January as they were happy with £20m-£25m, now it’s around £35m, so it’s way more expensive.
“I think this is difficult but Frimpong is prepared to make his move and the priority of Frimpong is to go to the Premier League.
“So, let’s see if some clubs will put the money on the table, but at the moment not, but let’s see.”
