Ex-Celtic manager Neil Lennon says there was an element of luck involved in the club signing Jeremie Frimpong from Manchester City four years ago.

The Dutchman has subsequently left the Hoops to join Bayer Leverkusen but they could still stand to earn a sizeable amount if he is sold on this summer, and Lennon says they spotted the fullback’s talent before anyone else did:

“He’s deceptive. He’s small but he’s so powerful, good on the ball and quite different from a lot of fullbacks out there. I follow his career and I hope he gets the move that he wants now. It will mean more money for Celtic – and that’s the model: find a young player who can enhance the team and then sell him on for a profit.”

“We got a bit lucky with him and got him for about £300,000 because he was a wee bit under the radar but it worked out very well for Celtic. We had a few of these with Fraser Forster, Victor Wanyama and Virgil van Dyk and I always follow guys like that.”

Celtic have a sell-on clause

As Lennon mentions, Celtic could earn even “more money” due to a sell-on clause they agreed with Leverkusen when they sold Frimpong for £11.5m during the 2021 January transfer window.

It entitles the Hoops to 30% of the profit on any future transfer, and with reports suggesting that Leverkusen are demanding £35m for the 22-year-old, the Scottish champions could receive another £7m, taking their total earnings from the sale to £18.5m.

Which club will Frimpong move to?

Manchester United were favourites for the right-back at one point, having discussed a deal with the player’s agent a few months ago, but the Red Devils have subsequently cooled their interest.

Real Madrid have also been mentioned as potential suitors for Frimpong but the most recent reports from Germany suggest Arsenal are the likeliest to make a bid. Celtic will be watching on intently as they anticipate a financial windfall.