Liverpool are set to receive around £35million for Jarell Quansah, who has agreed a move to Bayer Leverkusen, and the Reds already have a plan in place to replace him
09:11, 20 Jun 2025
(Image: PA)
Liverpool are now focusing on securing a young centre-back to fill the boots of Jarell Quansah, as the England Under-21 star is nearing a £35m switch to Bayer Leverkusen.
However, sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot are willing to take their time in bolstering their defence, following a fiery start to the summer transfer window that has already seen deals in place to splash out nearly £150m for Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.
The ongoing dialogue between Liverpool and Leverkusen, which has been constant throughout the summer regarding attacking midfielder Wirtz - set to arrive for around £116m in total in a British record transfer - and right-back Frimpong, secured for around £30m, has intensified over a potential deal for academy star Quansah.
The talks are believed to be progressing well as the Bundesliga club plans to invest the colossal windfall from Anfield, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Jonathan Tah moved to Bayern Munich on a free transfer at the start of the month, and Quansah has been pinpointed at the BayArena by sporting director Simon Rolfes and new manager Manchester United misfit Erik ten Hag as the ideal replacement at centre-half.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Jarell Quansah of Liverpool running during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on March 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Jarell Quansah is on his way out at Liverpool(Image: Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Article continues below
If the transfer goes ahead, the 22-year-old centre-back from Warrington will become the priciest signing in Leverkusen's history.
Quansah inked a new long-term contract in early October, but despite making significant strides towards first-team stardom in Jurgen Klopp's final season at the helm, the 24/25 campaign was less fruitful.
Quansah only got to start one Premier League match in his favoured position before the Reds clinched the title in late April, and that was during the opening-weekend victory at Ipswich where he was subbed out at half time for Ibrahima Konate.
Jarrel Quansah
Jarrell Quansah has found his game-time limited(Image: PA)
He clocked less than 500 minutes of play last season, making a mere 13 appearances in the league. According to the Echo, Quansah's potential departure won't cause Liverpool to veer from their transfer strategy for their centre-back department.
Two summers back, Levi Colwill was on the radar before it was decided he would remain at parent club Chelsea following a successful loan stint at Brighton and Hove Albion, before focus shifted to Leny Yoro at Lille last year.
He was also wooed by Real Madrid before choosing to sign with Manchester United, who could promise more regular first-team football at the time.
Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi has been touted as potential signing(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen was eyed by Liverpool earlier this summer before his £50m switch to Real Madrid, where he made his debut alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold in Wednesday night's 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal at the Club World Cup in the United States.
Marc Guehi, currently with Crystal Palace, is held in high regard at Anfield and the England international is in the final 12 months of his contract with the FA Cup winners, suggesting a deal could be on the cards if a relatively bargain agreement can be reached.
The Eagles, who last year fended off Newcastle's keen interest in Guehi by rejecting up to four bids, are now reportedly gearing up to land a club-record £40m deal for Sporting defender Ousmane Diomande.
England ace Guehi is set to turn 25 in less than a month, casting doubt over how far Liverpool's interest will go this window as they aim to sign a defender with the potential to become a key figure in their backline once Virgil van Dijk hangs up his boots.
Liverpool are keeping their cool in the short term about their hunt for another centre-back, confident they have enough cover in the squad if the perfect young candidate doesn't pop up.
Ibrahima Konate is entering the final year of his contract on Merseyside, with Real Madrid and Champions League victors PSG reportedly keeping tabs.
Article continues below
Discussions are still underway for a new deal for the French international at Anfield.