Leverkusen Sign Ready Made Frimpong Replacement From Brazil

Bayer Leverkusen has signed wing-back Arthur in a deal worth €7 million ($7.6 million) from Brazilian club América Futebol Club. Leverkusen announced that the 20-year-old had signed a deal until 2028. The transfer is understood to be a precursor to right-back Jeremie Frimpong leaving the club in the summer.

In recent weeks, Frimpong has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United. The Dutch right-back has increased his Transfermarkt market value to €35 million ($38.1 million). Leverkusen anticipates a big offer from England that will be significantly above his market value and the €11 million ($12.1 million) Leverkusen paid to Celtic in 2021.

Leverkusen has indeed signed a player in Arthur that could fill the Frimpong void should he leave the club. It is also not surprising that Leverkusen has gone to South America, Arthur, after all, will become the 24th Brazilian player in the history of Die Werkself.

“I’m very proud to soon be able to play for Bayer 04,” Arthur said in a club statement. “The club is well known and popular in Brazil and a lot of my fellow countrymen have become outstanding football players at Leverkusen. I’m hoping for that too and I will give my all to be successful with the club – in the Bundesliga and also in European competitions.”

Leverkusen scouted the player heavily and was impressed by what Arthur showed in 23 games across all competitions for América since making his debut in 2022. Leverkusen was not the only one impressed; Arthur was called up by Brazil’s interim manager Ramon Menezes, and he made his debut in the 2-1 defeat to Morocco.

But what sort of player is Arthur? “In addition to impressive pace, Arthur primarily has footballing finesse,” Bayer Leverkusen sporting manager director Simon Rolfes said in a club statement. “He is agile, plays with maturity in defense, and is impressive in attack. His signing is a transfer with a long-term perspective, and in Arthur, we have gained a player capable of developing who we believe can play an important role in the medium term.”

With Arthur slated to step in eventually to replace Frimpong, the question has to be asked how do the two players compare? Two things stand out, while Frimpong is the better dribbler per 90 minutes (7 vs 5.7), Arthur is the more accurate crosser (52.38% vs 32.56%). Both players compare well when sliding tackles per 90 minutes, interceptions and accurate crosses.

While Frimpong, of course, has achieved his numbers in a top four league, Arthur, however, is still considered a raw talent playing a league significantly below the Bundesliga level. The upside is his age and Leverkusen has a strong history finding talent in Brazil. With all that in mind, there is a good chance Die Werkself has found a ready made replacement for Frimpong, should he be sold next summer.

Manuel Veth is the host of the Bundesliga Gegenpressing Podcast and the Area Manager USA at Transfermarkt. He has also been published in the Guardian, Newsweek, Howler, Pro Soccer USA, and several other outlets. Follow him on Twitter: @ManuelVeth