Arne Slot holds talks with Liverpool's preferred Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has reportedly held regular phone conversations with Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong over a summer transfer.

The Reds are braced for the summer departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is said to have rejected one last offer of a new contract as he looks to complete a free transfer to Real Madrid at the end of the season.

Alexander-Arnold's expiring contract has been a key issue for Liverpool all season and work has long been underway on identifying a replacement. It was reported back in December that Frimpong sat at the top of Liverpool's list of potential replacements.

Slot is driving Liverpool's interest in Frimpong and Christian Falk states the pair held numerous phone calls last month to discuss the future,

It is claimed that Slot has made no secret of his desire to sign Frimpong in the summer, but the Liverpool boss has also confessed that signing a new right-back will not be the top priority even if the club find themselves chasing a replacement for Alexander-Arnold.

Instead, Liverpool will focus their efforts on a new striker and new centre-back, but Frimpong has had it confirmed to him that he will be the Reds' third signing if they can get deals for the other positions wrapped up first.

Frimpong's Leverkusen contract includes a release clause of €40m (£33.7m) which would have to be paid in full if Liverpool, or any other suitor, wants to trigger it.

Liverpool are by no means alone in their pursuit of Frimpong. Indeed, the likes of Manchester City and Barcelona have been named as potential landing spots for the 24-year-old Dutchman.

Manchester United were known admirers of Frimpong last summer but, having splashed out on Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu, are not expected to join the chase this time around.

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