Jeremie Frimpong to Man City: Transfer guru shares big update today
Pep Guardiola will make the final call on any signings Man City make as they eye a potential swoop for Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Guardiola must assess what his priorities are ahead of the transfer window.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 14 December that City are interested in re-signing the 24-year-old as a potential replacement for Kyle Walker.
However, Brown has suggested Guardiola could push the club to sign a more defensive-minded option given the issues they have suffered so far this season.
City have picked up just one win in their last 11 games across all competitions, and have kept just six clean sheets across their 25 games this term.
Walker's form has also been a serious concern for City this season, with his usual solidity now leaving them wanting and having cost them a number of goals in recent weeks.
This has raised red flags at the Etihad, with a potential defensive overhaul on the cards in the transfer window in a bid to resurrect their previously dominant defensive displays.
Meanwhile, Brown previously told Football Insider that the club are planning a “massive” squad overhaul amid concerns about ageing and declining players.
Pep Guardiola to make Jeremie Frimpong call at Man City after Kyle Walker twist
Their interest in Frimpong comes following his displays for Leverkusen after his influence in their 2023-24 unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning season.
The right-back came through the academy at the Etihad before leaving to join Celtic in 2019.
However, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted his attack-minded style may not be the best fit for Guardiola's team.
"I'm told he's one they've been looking at," he told Football Insider.
"But it's very much a question about what Guardiola views his priorities as, because he'll make the final decision around any incoming players.
"If he thinks he's already got enough attack-minded players, he'll be looking to improve how solid they are at the back - that's where I would start.
"I've heard they want to improve their defense because they've given far too many goals away.
"It's alright playing an attacking full-back when you're getting your defending right, but they haven't been doing that this season.
"That's why there are question marks around Kyle Walker's performances.
"That solid defensive ability used to be a key part of his and City's game, we've seen great battles with him and the likes of Vinicius Jr and Mbappe.
"But all of a sudden he's not winning those battles against worse players than them.
"So the element of defensive stability he brought to the side has been lost, and I think that's what City will look to bring in rather than a real attack-minded wing-back type player."
In other news, Man City eye move to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
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