Chelsea boss Graham Potter suffered his first defeat since taking charge of The Blues on Saturday, as he watched his side get thrashed 4-1 against his former club Brighton and Hove Albion. 

-ADVERTISEMENT-

The Blues now find themselves ten points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, and without a win in their last three league games.

Potter’s side now face Dinamo Zagreb in their final Champions League group stage match on Wednesday, before a huge game against The Gunners at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

In the meantime, it appears that Chelsea are set to rival Manchester United for the signing of a Bundesliga star.

According to Football Transfers, the two Premier League giants are both interested in Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong.

The 21-year-old has impressed for the German side so far this term, featuring in all 12 of their league matches as well as four of their five Champions League games.

The right-back has reportedly been identified by Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag as a suitable candidate to compete with Diogo Dalot for the starting spot at Old Trafford, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka having fallen almost completely out of favour.

Frimpong, who is a Netherlands under-21 international but is vying for a place in Louis van Gaal’s World Cup squad, is contracted to Leverkusen until 2025, so the German club are under very little pressure to sell.

The versatile full-back, who can also play further forward as a winger, joined Leverkusen from Celtic last summer, having made more than 50 appearances for the Scottish champions.

A product of the Manchester City academy, Frimpong is being lined up as a replacement for Wan-Bissaka, who Ten Hag has decided will be moved on when a suitable offer has been made.

Frimpong boasts an impressive tally of 12 assists and seven goals so far during his 64 matches for Leverkusen, and he currently plays with Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is on loan at the club from Chelsea.

Reece James has established himself as The Blues’ first choice right-back but their vulnerability without him has been highlighted by their poor form during his recent absence.

Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta have all been deployed as makeshift right wing-backs, but Potter appears keen to sign a player that can fulfil the role more naturally.