Manchester City are reportedly prepared to battle their local rivals Manchester United for the signature of Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong.
The Dutchman is gaining plenty of attention from a number of major clubs after making a significant impression during Leverkusen's highly successful campaign.
Frimpong has been a regular fixture in the Leverkusen side this season, scoring 11 goals and providing 11 assists in 34 competitive appearances.
The 23-year-old has helped Xabi Alonso's side establish a 13-point cushion at the top of the Bundesliga as well as playing his part in their journey to the DFB-Pokal semi-finals and the Europa League quarter-finals.
While he will be focused on Leverkusen's bid to win three pieces of silverware, it is currently unclear whether he will still be with the German club next season.
According to The Sun, Man City and Man United are preparing to battle it out for Frimpong's signature in the summer transfer window.
The two Manchester rivals are both believed to be monitoring the Leverkusen man as they weigh up whether to launch a bid ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
Despite being under contract until the summer of 2028, Frimpong allegedly has a £35m release clause which can only be triggered this summer.
Alonso has regularly used Frimpong as a wing-back this season due to his attacking qualities, but he has previous experience of operating in a traditional full-back role.
Manchester rivals on the lookout for a new right-back
Man United are supposedly looking to strengthen their backline in what will be Sir Jim Ratcliffe's first official transfer window since acquiring a minority stake in the club.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is one of Erik ten Hag's main right-back options, but there is a chance that he could leave the club at the end of the season.
Should the 23-year-old depart, the Red Devils would look to bring in a new full-back to provide competition to Diogo Dalot.
Meanwhile, Man City are said to view Frimpong as a potential successor to Kyle Walker, who will turn 34 at the end of May.
With Walker nearing the latter stages of his career, the Citizens are keen to take advantage of Frimpong's relatively low release clause.
Man City would be able to class Frimpong as a home-grown player after he spent over a decade in the club's academy before leaving for Celtic in 2019. body check tags ::
