Blow for West Ham as report claims Aston Villa now want to sign Jeremie Frimpong in January
Aston Villa could try to sign long-term West Ham United target Jeremie Frimpong in the January transfer window.
Jeremie Frimpong is someone who has been on the radar of West Ham for quite some time now, but it seems like Aston Villa could beat us to the punch, according to German media outlet Kicker.
West Ham were keen to sign the 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen right-back last January, but he stayed with the Bundesliga outfit in the end.
Hammers boss David Moyes desperately needs to sign a young, pacy and energetic right-back either in January or next summer.
Frimpong would be absolutely perfect for us as far as I’m concerned, but it seems like Aston Villa are the club who are showing the strongest interest in signing him unfortunately…
Aston Villa moving in for Jeremie Frimpong is bad news for West Ham
If the Villans sign the 22-year-old full-back in January, it will be a sign of just how ambitious they are as a football club.
Frimpong would be a major upgrade on Vladimir Coufal and I really feel like Moyes should be going all out to sign him this winter.
He has already bagged one goal and three assists in just six Bundesliga games for Leverkusen so far this season (Who Scored).
During those appearances he has averaged one tackle, 1.5 key passes and 1.2 dribbles per match (Who Scored). So it’s clear to see that he is an attacking full-back in every sense, but don’t be fooled…he’s an excellent defender as well.
The ex-Manchester City and Celtic ace really does seem to be the real deal. In fact, Celtic fan site 67 Hail Hail once described Frimpong as ‘unplayable’.
Frimpong is absolutely rapid and has an explosive playing style that seems to be tailor made for the Premier League.
Leverkusen could demand around €30 million (£26 million) for Frimpong (Buli News). That sounds like great value for whichever club wins the race for his signature.
Unfortunately for West Ham though, it seems like Aston Villa could be the club that brings Jeremie Frimpong to England in January.
‘Intelligence’ – Respected Sky Sports makes ‘key’ claim about Aston Villa star amid England claims
The seven-goal striker is making a good case for him to be called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has been told he will be in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts following his stellar display last week.
England manager Gareth Southgate was in attendance at Villa Park last Saturday, as he watched the 27-year-old score a hat-trick against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Watkins hadn’t scored a Premier League goal until netting the winner against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but has now discovered his goal-scoring touch at the right time.
Appearing on Sky Sports News, former Leeds United star Sue Smith said: “I really rate Ollie Watkins, not just because he’s gone and scored three goals in this game.
“Even when he doesn’t score goals, I think he’s so key to Aston Villa. His movement and his intelligence, the way he sets up chances and links up play for other players.
“He works so hard off of the ball to win the ball back. Yes it’s his goals and his composed finishes, and I’m sure Gareth Southgate will look at that. That’s what he said, he said: I just need to keep scoring goals and the chances will come.”
Southgate announces his England squad at 2.00 pm on Thursday for the upcoming friendly against Australia and the EURO 2024 qualifier with Italy next week.
Watkins has not played for England since March 2022 when he scored in a 3-0 friendly win against the Ivory Coast. He has made seven caps to date, but has played in just three competitive matches
The forward will find out just after lunch-time whether he is in the squad or not, and then have to focus himself for Villa’s match this evening. Unai Emery’s side host HSK Zrinjski Mostar at Villa Park in the Europa Conference League.
