Man City could be set to hand Celtic £7m as Neil Lennon move pays off

Manchester City could be willing to pay Celtic £7.3million if the Premier League club sign Jeremy Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. The reigning champions are reportedly interested in a deal for their former academy star.

City sold Frimpong to Celtic for £300,000 in 2019, with the pacy winger failing to make an appearance for Pep Guardiola's senior team. He excelled in the Scottish Premiership and was signed by Bayer Leverkusen in an £11.75 million move in 2021.

The 23-year-old has since become one of the most in-demand stars in European football. His performances at right-back were crucial as Leverkusen remained unbeaten in the Bundesliga last season.

Xabi Alonso could face a major battle to keep hold of the Dutch international. According to the Daily Mail, City have entered the race to recruit their former player.

The report claims Celtic will receive 30 per cent of any profit made by Leverkusen in a future transfer, a deal which was agreed during Neil Lennon's tenure. Frimpong has a £34million release clause, meaning whichever club ultimately buys him will owe the Scottish champions £7.3million.

The city is in dire need of a refresh after a horrible run of form. Seven games without a win, compounded by Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool, constitutes the worst run of Guardiola's managerial career.

A deal for Frimpong would reinvigorate City's right side, where Kyle Walker, 34, is struggling to meet his previously high standards. Rico Lewis can also play at right-back, but the England teenager's form has also suffered a dip this season.

Speaking last year about the possibility of a return to City, Frimpong said: “It would be great, but I don’t know. They have just won the Champions League and are the best team in the world. In the future we will see.

Liverpool have also been linked with a move for Frimpong. The Reds are looking for alternatives to Trent Alexander-Arnold if the academy graduate turns down a new contract and agrees to a free transfer to Real Madrid.

Much like Alexander-Arnold, Frimpong is extremely prolific for a full-back and is known for his creativity. He scored 14 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions last season. This season, Frimpong has scored twice and assisted seven times.

The former Dutch junior international has the advantage of being versatile. He can also play on the left and has played in midfield and attack for Leverkusen.