Bayer Leverkusen star reveals Manchester City return aspiration three years after exit

Jeremie Frimpong has hinted at an ambition to return to Manchester City, having previously progressed through the club’s academy since the age of nine.

The 22-year-old, who currently plays for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, left Manchester City in 2019 for £300,000.

Frimpong never made a senior appearance for Manchester City, despite progressing through the City Football Academy, competing from U9s to representing the Manchester City EDS in the Premier League 2.

The Dutchman plays predominantly at right-back, and after moving to Celtic from Manchester City, the defender signed for Bayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee in January 2021.

The German club signed the defender for a reported £11.5 million, with Frimpong having made 51 appearances across all competitions for Celtic.

Frimpong was directly involved in 20 goals in 48 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen last season, as the 22-year-old also registered two assists in five UEFA Champions League showings.

In the Bundesliga, the full-back scored eight goals and registered seven assists, as Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich were all linked with potentially signing the Dutch defender.

Bayer Leverkusen placed a reported €40 million fee on the 22-year-old amid interest from three of Europe’s biggest football clubs.

Frimpong has previously spoken highly of Manchester City, and following a turbulent summer in relation to the future of right-back Kyle Walker, the former academy star revealed his ambition to potentially one day return to the Etihad Stadium.

“It would be great [to return to Manchester City]… 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.”

“[Pep] Guardiola, really, was not my coach. I only met him a handful of times when I went up to train with the first-team, so I can only talk about Xabi [Alonso].

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso forged a strong friendship with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, as the Spanish footballer helped the 52-year-old to two of his three Bundesliga titles.

Alonso, who visited the City Football Academy to meet Guardiola and his coaching staff in 2018, worked under the Catalan coach between 2014 and 2016.

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