footballtransfers.com

Liverpool reach agreement with €64m signing

11 Jun 2026 09:09 BST | 4 min read

Andoni Iraola, Liverpool

Robin Bairner

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Liverpool have already agreed personal terms with a player who could solve one of Andoni Iraola’s biggest headaches as he takes over at Anfield.

Central defensive issues plagued Liverpool’s Premier League challenge last season, with both Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate struggling to find their best form, while Geovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez spent much of the season injured.

With Konate departing this summer, the Reds are seeking increased strength in depth in the heart of their defence, and they already have an agreement in place that will allow them to push through an instant transfer should they choose to trigger it.

Quansah has agreed Liverpool return

Jarell Quansah is in line to return to Anfield after moving to Bayer Leverkusen in search of first-team football last summer. Liverpool retained a €64 million (£55m) buy-back clause after allowing the centre-back to depart, but the Liverpool Echo reports that Iraola’s side also have an agreement in place with the 23-year-old over personal terms should they decide to recall him.

Such a situation is a great position for the Merseysiders to be in as the summer approaches. It leaves the situation open for Iraola and the club’s recruitment staff to assess as the window develops, giving them the opportunity to complete a swift transfer if required.

As well as his ability to settle into the squad immediately being a major plus point, the young defender is also capable of playing at either centre- or right-back, offering Iraola some welcome versatility and a fresh tactical option.

Quansah’s one demand is likely to be regular football, having admitted in April that his decision to leave Liverpool in the first place was a lack of starting opportunities.

He said: “I wouldn't say it was the hardest decision to leave 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 in action for Bayer Leverkusen

Can Liverpool give him what he wants?

According to data analytics firm SciSports, he would rank only as Liverpool’s fourth-strongest centre-back if he were currently at Anfield, trailing the departing Konate, Van Dijk and Gomez.

This suggests that he would simply be a rotation option, which is not something he is looking for at this point in his career.

As such, the ideal scenario might be for Liverpool to wait a year before triggering their option.

Van Dijk is likely to say goodbye to Liverpool in the summer of 2027, when his contract expires, and Quansah could be a natural replacement should he continue to improve in Germany.

Liverpool are in ‘advanced talks’ with Blackburn Rovers’ Patrik Farkas, who could return four years after departing. He is expected to be Iraola’s first signing but Quansah will be waiting in the wings.