MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah after the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah after the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jarell Quansah will not return to Liverpool this summer, but expectations in Germany are that his reduced buy-back clause will be triggered for a 2027 return.
With Ibrahima Konate set to leave this summer, there are understandably questions and concerns as to where that leaves the club’s centre-back ranks.
Virgil van Dijk will continue to lead the defence, while Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni will both return from season-ending injuries, and, as it stands, Joe Gomez will also be present.
The club ought to be looking for further reinforcements, and that will lead to speculation over whether a return for Quansah will be on the cards.
The 23-year-old left to join Bayer Leverkusen last summer, and as part of his move, Liverpool agreed a buy-back clause: this summer for €80 million (£69.3m) or in 2027 for €60 million (£52m).
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But the Reds will not be activating their option this summer, with BILD‘s reliable Leverkusen source Axel Hesse ruling out a move for the centre-back.
Quansah, who was called up to England’s World Cup squad, is instead “expected” to stay at Leverkusen to develop further and “then join Liverpool in 2027 as a key player, not as a squad player.”
Liverpool would then be able to buy Quansah back for €60 million (£52m), £21 million more than they sold him for, and a figure similar to the one they agreed in advance with Rennes for Jacquet.
At that stage, Van Dijk would be at the end of his current contract and Quansah would be the most experienced option at only 24, should Liverpool not add to their defence in the meantime.
It has already been revealed that contract terms are in place for if Quansah does rejoin his boyhood club, making it a ‘smooth’ process should Liverpool make their move.
Jarell Quansah “started loving football again”
The 23-year-old featured 44 times for Leverkusen for a total of 3,706 minutes, the most in his career to date, and a 187 percent increase on his final season at Liverpool.
It has been a year of growth for Quansah, who was rewarded with a place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
And in April, he admitted he had “started loving football again” after struggling to earn Arne Slot‘s trust in 2024/25.
“I’ve really loved it, to be honest. It’s been refreshing for me,” Quansah said of his career move.
“I’ve started loving football again, being able to play week in, week out against some of the best teams in the world, showing what I’m capable of, what I can give to this team and to the fans as well.
“I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Chelsea FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's substitute Alexander Isak on the bench before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Brentford FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson touches the badge as he waves to the Anfield crowd for one final time during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Football League Cup – Semi-Final 1st Leg – Arsenal FC v Newcastle United FC
LONDON, ENGLAND - Tuesday, January 7, 2025: Newcastle United's goal-scorer Anthony Gordon celebrates after during the Football League Cup Semi-Final 1st Leg match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at the Emirates Stadium. Newcastle won 2-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)