An exciting title race is brewing in the Bundesliga this season. Bayern Munich have often found it easy to win titles on several occasions in the last decade, but this campaign does look promising in terms of a close fight between the two teams. Bayer Leverkusen are challenging for the title under Xabi Alonso by playing brilliant football.
Alonso’s men are still unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season. They are leading the league table by four points, but Bayern do have a game in hand over them. Leverkusen also managed to get a point away at Allianz Arena earlier this season.
Jeremie Frimpong has been one of the key players for Leverkusen this season. The Dutch full-back has excelled in a wing-back role under Alonso. According to Fabrizio Romano (via iMiaSanMia), Bayern are one of several big clubs that are closely following the situation of Frimpong at Leverkusen. Arsenal are also showing interest in the Dutch international.
The Dutch defender has a release clause worth €40 million, which becomes active in the summer. If Frimpong continues to perform well for Leverkusen in the second half of the season, there could be multiple clubs approaching his representatives in the summer.
Frimpong has been very adventurous in the final third for Leverkusen. He has scored seven goals and provided six assists for Leverkusen across all competitions. The Dutch defender is very well suited for the wing-back role, but it remains to be seen if he can successfully transition back to the right-back position. (Stats courtesy: Whoscored)
Bayern currently have two options in the right-back position. Noussair Mazraoui has become an important player for Thomas Tuchel in this position, while Konrad Laimer has also done admirable work in this role this season. Laimer primarily plays in midfield, but he can do a good job in the right-back position.
The Bavarian club doesn’t exclusively need a right-back. Bayern are looking for a versatile center-back who can also offer cover in the right-back position. It will be a big surprise if Die Roten ends up making their interest firm in Frimpong during the summer transfer window unless Mazraoui is set to leave Munich.
The only other scenario where a move for Frimpong will make sense for Die Roten is if Tuchel decides to use a back three regularly from next season. Tuchel used this formation consistently during his time at Chelsea, but he has stuck with 4-2-3-1 at Bayern. It will take a major tactical shift for Bayern chiefs to sanction a move for Frimpong.