Liverpool ‘prepared to sign’ a £34.7m replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold as contract negotiations take an unexpected turn.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is nearing the end of his Liverpool contract, and the club has begun looking for a potential replacement. If Alexander-Arnold’s contract runs out in the summer of 2025, the Reds are reportedly ready to activate a £34.7 million release clause to bring in his successor.
Alexander-Arnold, a Liverpool player since age six, has yet to show signs of renewing his contract, and Real Madrid is among the clubs eyeing him. Facing a defensive injury crisis—with Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal sidelined by ACL injuries and Lucas Vazquez out for a month—Real Madrid might accelerate their pursuit of Alexander-Arnold.
In response, Liverpool is reportedly focusing on Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong as a potential successor, according to the Daily Mail. Frimpong, who joined Leverkusen from Celtic in 2021 and won a double last season, has emerged as a leading candidate. Celtic could also gain from any deal with Liverpool due to a sell-on clause.
Frimpong, a Netherlands international, previously played with Manchester City’s Under-21 team before joining Celtic in 2019, where he won the treble. In the 2023/24 season, he has been part of a strong Leverkusen squad under Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso.
Alexander-Arnold, at 26, could be in line for a significant career move, having already won the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League with Liverpool. As Real Madrid reportedly intensifies its interest, Frimpong appears a fitting replacement for Alexander-Arnold, providing speed, defensive ability, and versatility. The Dutchman, turning 24 in December, can play across the right side and has already registered one goal and three assists in the Bundesliga this season.
Frimpong’s contract with Leverkusen was extended in 2023 through to 2028, and activating his release clause would also benefit Celtic due to their 30% sell-on clause, potentially delivering a substantial financial boost.
