Liverpool needs to bolster its defensive options, and Jarell Quansah continues to be linked with a return to Anfield after leaving to seek new opportunities at Bayer Leverkusen
18:47, 29 Jul 2026
Former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah
Former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool is in need of defensive reinforcements this summer, so it's no surprise to see former Red Jarell Quansah linked with a move back to Anfield.
The 23-year-old, who is a product of the Reds' youth academy, departed the club on a permanent basis last summer. Having made just shy of 60 appearances for the first team, Quansah joined Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £35 million ($46 million).
It's a move that has certainly worked out for the defender, as he made 44 appearances across all competitions last season and scored five goals in the process. Quansah's regular minutes in Germany also earned him a place in England's World Cup squad, in which the Three Lions progressed all the way to the semifinals.
Liverpool's need for more in defense stems from its dwindling depth at the position. The Reds may have signed two of Europe's most promising young talents in Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni over the last 12 months, but the former is inexperienced at the highest level, while the latter is yet to return from the devastating ACL injury he suffered last season. It is also not yet clear what kind of shape he will be in upon his return.
Following Ibrahima Konate's departure as a free agent and Joe Gomez's ongoing injury concerns, Virgil van Dijk is the only reliable and experienced option available to new head coach Andoni Iraola. It's fair to say Liverpool is currently one Van Dijk injury away from disaster.
According to BBC Sport, although Liverpool has a buyback clause in the deal that saw Quansah join Leverkusen last summer, there are currently no plans for the defender to return to Anfield. While that option stands at a staggering £70 million ($93 million) this summer, the price tag will drop to roughly £52 million ($70 million) if the club waits until the summer of 2027 to trigger the clause.
The report from BBC Sport stresses that if Liverpool splashes significant money on signing Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain before the transfer deadline, it will almost certainly limit the club's ability to spend elsewhere. Quansah's price tag this summer would more than likely be out of reach, even if the Reds wanted to bring him back to the club.
Jarell Quansah of Leverkusen controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and PSV Eindhoven at BayArena on October 1, 2025 in Leverkusen, Germany.
Former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, now at Bayer Leverkusen.(Image: Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)
With Van Dijk about to enter the final 12 months of the deal he signed in spring 2025, Liverpool has plenty of question marks surrounding the long-term future of the position. Leoni and Jacquet certainly have potential, but they are now lacking an experienced figure to play alongside and potentially succeed the club captain in a year's time.
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For now, if Liverpool is to bolster its defensive options this summer, which it desperately needs to do, the club may be more inclined to pursue a versatile player capable of covering multiple positions. That is because there are also significant question marks at right back due to Conor Bradley's long-term injury concerns and Jeremie Frimpong's suitability still being in doubt.
Liverpool, meanwhile, is deep into its preseason preparations after winning its first friendly against Sunderland over the weekend. The Reds are now set to face Wrexham and Leeds United in New York and Chicago, respectively, before returning to England for games against Monaco and Como.
Liverpool's Premier League campaign begins on August 23 with an away trip to Newcastle United. The club's first home fixture comes against Nottingham Forest a week later.