Liverpool’s next summer move looks clear as Jarell Quansah moves closer to an Anfield exit.
Liverpool.com reported on Thursday that a deal between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen was close for the defender, with reports in recent days indicating that a fee has been agreed. The Liverpool Echo stated the German club has committed to paying £30 million ($40M), plus an additional £5M ($7M), with a buy-back option inserted in the transfer.
Quansah will join Leverkusen to replace defender Jonathan Tah, who joined Bayern Munich earlier this summer. The price paid will also represent a record-breaking deal for the 2024 Bundesliga champions, just a few days after Florian Wirtz’s move to Liverpool was confirmed.
Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has given the transfer his trademark “here we go” treatment, adding that a five-year contract has been agreed.
Quansah’s exit will leave the Reds light on center-back options, with just Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez remaining available to Arne Slot. A replacement must be sought.
Seemingly, that is set to be Marc Guehi. The Crystal Palace defender has just 12 months remaining on his contract and was strongly linked with a move to Newcastle United last summer.
Jarell Quansah passes the ball
Quansah is currently on international duty with England Under-21s
The Eagles reportedly turned down a £60M ($81M) offer, and the Mirror indicates that Liverpool is not willing to spend anywhere near that figure this summer.
The report adds that Newcastle remains interested this summer, as does Arsenal. Guehi is said to be wary that he needs to be playing regularly ahead of the World Cup in 2026, but is keen on the prospect of signing for Liverpool.
Now he needs to wait and see what offers are presented to Palace, who is negotiating a deal to sign Ousmane Diomande from Sporting Lisbon.
Marc Guehi has been linked with a move to Liverpool
Marc Guehi has been linked with a move to Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
In fact, talkSPORT states Guehi is willing to let his contract expire and leave for free in a year. He has no intention of signing an extension.
The outlet states Spurs could step up its attempts to sign the 24-year-old if Cristian Romero departs to Atletico Madrid this summer.
But it’s not just Premier League sides that are keen on the center-back, with Guehi on Barcelona’s “radar,” according to Fichajes.
The report claims the ex-Chelsea youngster “represents a market opportunity that would fit in with the club's transfer policy” if he can be tempted with a free move to the Nou Camp next summer.