MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah applauds the travelling supporters 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 applauds the travelling supporters 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)
Liverpool will now be on alert as Arsenal open talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal for Jarell Quansah, who was available to be re-signed for £68.4 million.
Quansah only left for Germany last summer, but the way in which Liverpool structured their agreement with Leverkusen gave a strong indication of plans for his return.
A £35 million package also included a buy-back option, with Liverpool able to re-sign their academy graduate for €70 million (£59.8m) this summer or €60 million (£51.3m) in 2027.
While there were no plans to trigger the first option and it is reported to have now expired, developments in Quansah’s situation could change the landscape.
Sky Sports report that Arsenal have now entered talks with Leverkusen over a possible deal for the 23-year-old as they seek reinforcements in their defence.
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)
With William Saliba and Jurrien Timber both sidelined, Quansah has emerged as an option along with the likes of Aston Villa‘s Ezri Konsa, Tottenham‘s Cristian Romero and Como’s Jacobo Ramon.
Leverkusen are not keen to sell their No. 4 and it is explained that a significant increase on their initial £30 million outlay would be required to consider an exit.
Quansah continues to enjoy a rise in profile since his emergence as a first-team regular for Liverpool in 2023/24, and he was part of the England squad at this summer’s World Cup.
England's Jarell Quansah reacts after being shown a red card during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at Mexico City Stadium, Mexico. Picture date: Sunday July 5, 2026.
England's Jarell Quansah reacts after being shown a red card during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match at Mexico City Stadium, Mexico. Picture date: Sunday July 5, 2026.
An unfortunate red card in the last-16 win over Mexico saw him ruled out of both the quarter-finals and semi-finals, though he started the eventual third-placed playoff win over France.
A move to Arsenal could interest Quansah, who will have further aspirations of cementing himself as first choice for England.
But there could be reservations over the role he would play under Mikel Arteta, particularly as contact over a transfer only comes after injury to other key starters.
Could Arsenal interest prompt Liverpool to rethink Jarell Quansah plan?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's Jarell Quansah with the trophy, as the team celebrate becoming Champions for the 20th time, after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's Jarell Quansah with the trophy, as the team celebrate becoming Champions for the 20th time, after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It will certainly be interesting to see whether Arsenal‘s pursuit provokes Liverpool into an approach of their own, having already agreed terms on a contract for if Quansah were to rejoin.
His ability to play both centre-back and right-back, along with his status as a homegrown player, would be useful in terms of squad planning.
But Liverpool have now brought in Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan having given no indication they would activate their buy-back option for Quansah this summer.
The expectation has been that, if Liverpool were to bring him back, a move for Quansah would only be engineered in 2027, when Virgil van Dijk‘s current contract expires.
Perhaps that could now change with the prospect of losing an elite-potential talent to one of their main rivals.
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LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 14, 2022: Liverpool's Thiago Alcântara celebrates after the FA Cup Final between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. The game ended in a goal-less draw, Liverpool won 6-5 on penalties. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)