Liverpool’s move to sign Florian Wirtz in a blockbuster deal from Bayer Leverkusen won’t involve the Reds sending any players the other way. Throughout negotiations, though, there were frequent rumours the German club held interest in a few Reds.
The two names most often mentioned were Harvey Elliott, a player who fills a similar role to the departing Wirtz, and centre half Jarell Quansah, a player who could replace Bayern-bound Jonathan Tah. It’s Quansah, it turns out, they might be most interested in.
At least that’s the chatter this week, with multiple reports claiming there are ongoing talks between the two clubs and the player’s representatives over a move to the Bundesliga for Liverpool’s talented 22-year-old club trained defender.
On paper, Quansah appears to have all the tools to be a top centre half—and he often showed them during a breakout 2023-24 season under Jürgen Klopp. The arrival of Arne Slot as manager for 2024-25, though, did not appear to help his progression.
Quansah started the first game of the season under Slot but looked awkward and was replaced at the half by Ibrahima Konaté. He never seemed to fully re-earn the trust of the new Liverpool trainer, and afterwards his chances remained limited.
Given his age, it seems clear what Quansah needs most is playing time. The question now is whether he and Liverpool believe it’s best earned on loan with an eye to a possible long-term future with the Reds or if a permanent move is seen as the best answer.