Arsenal wants to capture the great player from Bayer Leverkusen when his €40 million release clause expires.

Arsenal’s search for a new full-back may take a backseat this January, as reports in Germany suggest that Mikel Arteta’s sights are set on Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong for a summer transfer. Despite the recent blip in form, which has seen the Gunners drop to fourth place in the Premier League, Arteta is keen to strengthen his squad, particularly in the full-back position.

The need for a new full-back has been intensified by the long-term injury to summer signing Jurrien Timber, who suffered an ACL knee injury in the Community Shield, and the current unavailability of Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is representing Japan at the Asian Cup, and Oleksandr Zinchenko, who missed the New Year’s Eve defeat to Fulham with a calf injury.

However, Arteta is not willing to rush into signing just anyone to fill the gap. Instead, he is prepared to wait until the summer to bring in his preferred target, Frimpong. The 23-year-old Leverkusen star has established himself as one of the best attacking full-backs in European football, with an impressive goal contribution record of every 120 minutes despite being a defender.

Frimpong’s playing style is unlike the typical full-backs Arteta usually favors, as he is a more orthodox wing-back who excels at rampaging up and down the flank rather than coming inside and contributing to build-up play. However, Arsenal rates him highly and is aware of a relatively modest €40million (£34m) release clause in his contract.

According to German newspaper Bild, Frimpong will attract plenty of suitors in the summer, but Arsenal is keen to make him a priority signing. With his impressive goal-scoring and assist record, Frimpong could bring a new dimension to Arsenal’s attack and provide competition for the existing full-backs.

While Arsenal’s immediate focus may be on strengthening other areas of the squad, such as the striker and central midfielder positions, the summer pursuit of Frimpong indicates that Arteta is thinking long-term and is willing to wait for the right player to become available.

Here’s a paraphrased version of the article:

Arsenal’s search for a new full-back may be put on hold until the summer, as reports suggest that Mikel Arteta has set his sights on Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong. Despite recent setbacks, including a dip in form and injuries to key players, Arteta is keen to bolster his squad, particularly in the full-back position.

The need for a new full-back has been exacerbated by the long-term injury to Jurrien Timber and the current unavailability of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko. However, Arteta is unwilling to rush into a signing, instead opting to wait for his top target, Frimpong.

The 23-year-old Leverkusen star has impressed with his attacking prowess, scoring five goals and providing six assists in the Bundesliga this season. His playing style differs from the typical full-backs Arteta usually favors, but Arsenal rates him highly and is aware of a relatively modest release clause in his contract.

Frimpong is likely to be in high demand come summer, but Arsenal is keen to make him a priority signing. With his impressive goal-scoring and assist record, Frimpong could bring a new dimension to Arsenal’s attack and provide competition for the existing full-backs.

While Arsenal’s immediate focus may be on strengthening other areas of the squad, the summer pursuit of Frimpong indicates that Arteta is thinking long-term and is willing to wait for the right player to become available.

In summary, Arsenal may delay signing a new full-back until the summer when they can pursue their top target, Jeremie Frimpong, who has impressed with his attacking prowess and is likely to be in high demand.