Jarell Quansah next to an Arsenal badge
Arsenal are in discussions with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal for Jarell Quansah, talkSPORT understands.
Quansah has been with the German club for just one season following his £35million move from Liverpool last summer.
Jarell Quansah 26 of England looks on during the first half of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Miami2
Could Quansah return to the Premier League in a red kit that isn't Liverpool's?
Despite the Gunners' interest, it may prove a difficult deal to get done.
What is Bayer Leverkusen's stance on Jarrel Quansah?
It is understood Leverkusen do not want to sell the England international.
And even if they did, the club would want to make a profit on the eight-figure sum they paid to sign him from Liverpool.
The Reds did have the option to re-sign Quansah this summer for £70m, but they elected not to trigger it.
Had they done so, Quansah, who came through Liverpool's academy, would have become the club's second-most expensive defensive signing.
Arsenal's mooted pursuit of Quansah comes on the eve of their season getting underway.
The Gunners face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday, live on talkSPORT.
Mikel Arteta's side then begin their Premier League title defence on August 21 against Coventry City, which is also live on talkSPORT.
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Which other defenders have Arsenal targeted this window?
Arsenal have already shown a willingness to improve their defensive stocks by going after Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa.
The Gunners have already made a verbal offer to Villa for Konsa in the region of £35m.
Ezri Konsa looks on during the match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest2
Konsa has been with Villa since 2019 and still has two years to run on his contract
However, this fell well below Villa's valuation of Konsa, who are looking for as much as £65m.
Arsenal had also been linked with a sensational swoop for Tottenham captain Cristian Romero.
However, Romero is instead set to join Atletico Madrid in a deal worth approximately £34m.
The Gunners are on the lookout for defensive reinforcements with starting defender William Saliba set to miss an 'extended period' with a back issue he picked up at the World Cup.
Adding to Arsenal's woes at the back is Jurrien Timber, who continues to recover from a groin injury.
The duo's fitness issues leaves Gabriel, Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera as the primary centre-back options.
Left-back Riccardo Calafiori is capable of playing at centre-back as well.