What Jeremie Frimpong has already said about Liverpool transfer as £34m deadline looms

Barcelona have reportedly tabled a bid for Liverpool transfer target Jeremie Frimpong, but the Dutchman may yet favour a move to Anfield.

Sport Bild reported that Barcelona have made an offer below Bayer Leverkusen’s asking price for the 23-year-old full-back. Frimpong is said to have a €40million (£34m) release clause in his current contract at BayArena that expires on June 14.

Barcelona is not the only elite European club interested in Frimpong. Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool also apparently want to sign Frimpong, who was a vital contributor to Leverkusen’s near-invincible season and first-ever Bundesliga title.

He started 27 out of 34 Bundesliga games for Leverkusen this term, scoring nine goals and assisting a further seven. He featured in 47 games in all competitions, scoring 14 and assisting 10 as Leverkusen came within a game of winning a treble, only to lose to Atalanta in the Europa League final.

While several top clubs are interested in his services, Liverpool may have the crucial advantage. When asked by Dutch outlet Ziggo Sport about moving to Merseyside, Frimpong said earlier this year: "Liverpool? Great club, with history. That would be great. Who knows what the future will bring."

While Trent Alexander-Arnold has traditionally played right-back for Liverpool, he’s been increasingly operating in midfield for both club and country of late. Alexander-Arnold’s future may be in midfield under new manager Arne Slot, and Frimpong could be the long-term solution at right-back.

Current Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso played for Liverpool for five seasons, and was initially linked with the Reds job after Jurgen Klopp announced his shock departure in January.

While Alonso eventually chose to stay with Leverkusen, the links between the two clubs could be vital in determining where Frimpong goes next.