Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta wants to sign a new centre-back (Photo: Getty)
Arsenal have reportedly opened talks to sign former Liverpool defender and England World Cup star Jarell Quansah.
The Gunners are in the market for a centre-back this summer with star player William Saliba to miss the start of the new season with a back injury.
Arsenal say the France international will be sidelined for an ‘extended period’, with reports suggesting he could be out for a number of weeks or months depending on how his rehabilitation goes.
Mikel Arteta’s top target has been Ezri Konsa but a deal for the Aston Villa star is proving tricky.
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The Villans are demanding £60million, and it is said that while the 28-year-old is open to moving to north London, he will not force a transfer this summer.
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As a result, it seems Arsenal are happy to move onto alternative targets, with Sky Sports reporting that the reigning Premier League champions have begun talks with Bayer Leverkusen for Quansah.
[ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - AUGUST 8: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray greets fans after friendly match between Galatasaray and Villarreal at RAMS Park in Istanbul, Turkiye on August 8, 2026. (Photo by Arife Karakum/Anadolu via Getty Images)
ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - AUGUST 8: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray greets fans after friendly match between Galatasaray and Villarreal at RAMS Park in Istanbul, Turkiye on August 8, 2026. (Photo by Arife Karakum/Anadolu via Getty Images)](https://metro.co.uk/2026/08/13/arsenal-begin-talks-sign-victor-osimhen-galatasaray-29372103/)
Arteta is keen on the 23-year-old, who played alongside Konsa during the World Cup, in part because of his ability to play at centre-back and right-back.
Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah helped England to third-place at the 2026 World Cup (Photo: Getty)
After falling out of favour with Arne Slot, Quansah made the tough decision to leave Anfield last summer, joining Leverkusen in a deal worth £30m.
It is said the Bundesliga club don’t want to lose the Three Lions star and will be demanding a considerable fee from Arsenal.
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File photo dated 17-06-2026 of England defender Ezri Konsa who says the "brotherhood" in the squad fuelled their famous World Cup victory over Mexico. Issue date: Monday July 6, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.
File photo dated 17-06-2026 of England defender Ezri Konsa who says the "brotherhood" in the squad fuelled their famous World Cup victory over Mexico. Issue date: Monday July 6, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read Bradley Collyer/PA Wire.