Liverpool have completed a deal worth up to £35m for the Premier League champions, who have negotiated a pivotal clause and are now eyeing more deals for Arne Slot
10:38, 02 Jul 2025
Arne Slot
Arne Slot wants to make more signings for Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)
Jarell Quansah has sealed his transfer to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal that could net Liverpool up to £35m.
The Bundesliga outfit will shell out an initial £30m, with additional payments contingent on the team's success at the BayArena. The England Under-21 star underwent a medical on Monday, fresh off his victorious campaign with the Young Lions, who triumphed 3-2 over Germany in the European Championship final on Saturday.
The transfer was officially rubber-stamped on Wednesday morning, making Quansah the priciest player in Leverkusen's history as they gear up for a summer overhaul under new manager, Manchester United flop Erik ten Hag, and sporting director Simon Rolfes. Rolfes was in Slovakia over the weekend to see his new centre-half aid the U21s to victory.
It's believed the Premier League champions have woven a buy-back clause into the deal, rumoured to be around the £51m mark, although German reports suggest the terms won't kick in until 2027.
The Merseysiders reckon this arrangement gives them the option to potentially re-sign a highly-rated youngster if he flourishes as anticipated in the Bundesliga, reports the Liverpool Echo.
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)
Liverpool have sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen(Image: Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Liverpool had been negotiating with Leverkusen for weeks over the futures of Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, both of whom joined the Reds this month for respective fees of £29m and £116m.
However, talks swiftly pivoted to Quansah as die Werkself sought to bolster their backline following Jonathan Tah's free transfer to Bayern Munich.
Quansah kicked off the season as first choice alongside Virgil van Dijk but was pulled by Arne Slot after 45 minutes into the Ipswich match on the Premier League's opening weekend. The Reds gaffer felt the defender was losing too many one-on-one battles with Liam Delap.
He was swapped out for Ibrahima Konate at half-time and the French international held his spot for the rest of the season when fit. Quansah didn't get another start in his favoured centre-back role before the title was clinched in late April.
Consequently, Liverpool are said to be relaxed about him leaving as they eye up potential replacements. England international Marc Guehi, who hits 25 next month, is a player who's caught Anfield's attention.
Guehi officially entered the last 12 months of his Crystal Palace contract at the start of July and Liverpool will likely only ramp up their interest if the FA Cup winners' asking price takes a dip.
Palace knocked back four offers around the £60m mark from Newcastle United last year for their skipper but will have to lower that figure if they want to pocket a fee for a player who's reportedly made it clear he won't pen a new deal at Selhurst Park.
"Quansah is a fantastic talent," declared former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel. "His only issue is that he's got two exceptional centre-backs in Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate ahead of him.
Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi could be on the way to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
"That's why the move is an ideal opportunity for his development, you can see the potential he possesses. The lad is truly talented."
Born in Warrington, Quansah has been with Liverpool since he was nine-years-old. He made his senior debut at the start of the 23/24 season under Jurgen Klopp, largely due to a shortage of centre-backs caused by suspensions and injuries to key players.
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Nevertheless, the defender seized his opportunity and concluded his inaugural Premier League year with 17 appearances under Klopp, including scoring in the German's final match in charge during a win over Wolves at Anfield.
However, under Slot, his chances at centre-back became scarcer and he occasionally played as a right-sided full-back to cover when injuries hit Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez. The 22-year-old started the Carabao Cup final loss to Newcastle in the unfamiliar position on the right.