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Bayer Leverkusen full-back Jeremie Frimpong has expressed his admiration for Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior amidst reports of his transfer to Los Blancos.
The La Liga giants signed Vinicius from Brazilian club CR Flamengo for €45 million after he turned 18 in 2018. Eyebrows were raised at the fee paid for the then-teenager.
However, Real Madrid's decision to snap up Vinicius before anyone else seems to be paying rich dividends. The winger has bagged 55 goals and 54 assists in 211 appearances across competitions.
The Brazil international has helped Los Blancos win eight trophies, including the UEFA Champions League. Despite still being only 22, he has established himself as one of the best players in his position.
Vinicius' performances for Carlo Ancelotti's side have seen him garner many admirers. Several players look up to the Sao Goncalo-born winger, with Frimpong being one of them.
The Leverkusen full-back has heaped praise on Vinicius for his ability on the ball. He also lauded the Real Madrid star for his determination on the pitch, telling Spanish outlet Relevo:
"Not only in my position, I also analyse the others. For example, I love seeing Vinicius at Real Madrid; he's so calm with the ball, so skilful, and he never panics when he has it. (He) plays freely; you know what I mean? I love this kind of thing. When he loses the ball, he tries again. In football, when you lose the ball, sometimes you don't want to try because you lost it, but he is never affected by that."
Apart from being a key player for Los Merengues, Vinicius has also established himself as a regular for Brazil.
Frimpong could link up with Vinicius at Real Madrid
Frimpong could soon find himself playing alongside Vinicius at the Santiago Bernabeu. According to OK Fichajes (via Twelfth Man Times), Real Madrid are interested in signing the Dutchman.
With Dani Carvajal on the wrong side of 30, Los Blancos are on the lookout for a long-term replacement for the full-back. Frimpong has thus emerged as a transfer target ahead of the summer.
Leverkusen are under no pressure to sell the full-back, as he's contracted to them till 2025. However, they could be tempted to cash in on Frimpong if they receive a suitable offer. It's worth noting that the Bundesliga club are managed by former Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso.
