Arsenal have made contact with Jarell Quansah’s representatives over a possible summer move as Mikel Arteta steps up his search for another defender.
The Gunners have been assessing several centre-back options following William Saliba’s injury, with Ezri Konsa, Marc Pubill and Jacobo Ramon all featuring on the club’s shortlist.
Quansah has now become the latest name to emerge.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Arsenal contacted the England international’s camp this week and held initial discussions over a possible transfer.
Bayer Leverkusen, however, are expected to resist any approach and want to keep the 23-year-old this season.
🚨🔴⚪️ Arsenal made contact with Jarell Quansah’s camp over possible move this week.
Initial talks as @RobDorsettSky reported, Bayer Leverkusen will try to keep the defender this season.
Liverpool had €70m buy back clause this summer but expired — no clauses for other clubs. pic.twitter.com/88sSjk58nR
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2026
Jarell Quansah Arsenal talks begin
Quansah only left Liverpool for Leverkusen last summer in a deal worth an initial £30million, before establishing himself in Germany during the 2025/26 campaign.
The Guardian reports that Leverkusen would demand at least €50m (£43m) to consider a sale, while talkSPORT also says the Bundesliga club would want to make a profit on their investment.
An interesting complication has also disappeared.
Romano says Liverpool held a €70m buy-back clause for Quansah this summer, but that option has now expired. There are no equivalent clauses allowing other clubs to sign him for a predetermined fee.
That leaves Arsenal needing to negotiate directly with Leverkusen if their interest progresses beyond the initial contact.
Quansah’s ability to operate at centre-back and right-back would suit Arteta’s preference for versatile defenders. Arsenal have already explored several players with a similar profile as they look to strengthen following Saliba’s setback.
ReadArsenal previously covered Arsenal’s move for Jacobo Ramon after the Saliba injury, with the Gunners continuing to assess alternatives while negotiations for Konsa remain difficult.
There is no agreement with Quansah or Leverkusen at this stage.
But contact with the player’s camp represents a concrete first step, and Arsenal now have another serious defensive option on their radar before the transfer window closes.
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