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Liverpool have been linked with several potential summer moves as they assess their defensive options following the departure of Ibrahima Konate.
The club’s failure to agree a new contract with Konate is understood internally to be a disappointing outcome, with a significant gap between Liverpool’s offer and the defender’s valuation after five seasons at Anfield.
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Since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2021, the France international has developed into a key player, featuring in a Champions League final and winning major honours, including the 2024/25 Premier League title.
As a result, Liverpool are expected to explore the centre-back market more closely this summer. Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet are among the names discussed internally, with Jacquet’s move from Rennes expected to be formally completed on July 1.
Meanwhile, Jarell Quansah, who joined Bayer Leverkusen last year, has impressed in Germany despite managerial changes at the club.
Liverpool are believed to hold a buy-back clause in the region of £55m, and according to the Liverpool Echo, the England defender has already agreed personal terms should the club decide to activate the option.
It means there is no need for complicated or drawn-out negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen, nor concern that Jarell Quansah’s wage demands would be beyond what Liverpool are prepared to meet.
That would make any potential deal significantly cleaner should Liverpool decide that, after two years away, the 23-year-old has developed into the established England defender they expected him to become.
Quansah admitted in April that his decision to leave Liverpool was relatively straightforward after Bayer Leverkusen offered him regular first-team football.
He said: “To be honest, I wouldn’t say it was the hardest decision because I just wanted to play. “I felt like I could play at the top level, the Bundesliga’s a top league and being able to play in the Champions League and play top games.
“I think you just have maybe a gut feeling. Sometimes you can’t think about it too much and listen to too many people to be honest, because you can listen to a few things and get persuaded.”
Jarell Quansah was part of the England side that won the European Under-21 Championship, beating Germany in last year’s final.
The defender came through the Liverpool academy and made 58 appearances for the club, scoring three goals. He also helped the Reds win the 2024 League Cup and featured 13 times in the Premier League in the 2024/25 season as Liverpool went on to win the title.
Quansah has now been named in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for this summer’s FIFA World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday. The tournament is hosted in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
England begin their campaign against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, June 17. Further Group L fixtures follow against Ghana in Boston on Tuesday, June 23 and Panama in New York/New Jersey on Saturday, June 27.