Liverpool Want £50million to Sell 22-year-old Star This Summer – Journalist | OneFootball

Liverpool Face £50m Dilemma Over Jarell Quansah Amid Exit Interest

Liverpool’s summer transfer window could be shaped by a surprising yet entirely plausible decision: whether to cash in on academy graduate Jarell Quansah. David Lynch, writing for his Substack, has highlighted that the 22-year-old centre-back is a “genuine candidate” for a departure from Anfield this summer, with suitors circling from both the Premier League and Germany.

With a reported valuation of £50m, Quansah’s situation has sparked debate among fans and pundits alike. The question isn’t just about money, but timing, squad depth and the bigger picture for Arne Slot’s Premier League-winning team.

Quansah’s Frustration Is Justified

“Few would have predicted it last summer, but Quansah is a genuine candidate for a departure in this transfer window,” wrote Lynch.

After a breakout 2023/24 season that saw him edge close to England’s Euro 2024 squad, Quansah’s 2024/25 campaign has been significantly less fruitful. His last season featured just three Premier League starts, two of which came “after we’d already clinched the title and fielded some experimental line-ups.”

Photo: IMAGO

It’s no surprise then that, according to Lynch, the player is “keen on securing more game-time after a frustrating season.” With Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté maintaining fitness and form, Quansah has been relegated to a backup role. That scenario would dishearten most young talents, particularly after such a promising start to life in the first team.

£50m Offer Too Good to Ignore?

It’s fair to suggest that £50m for a squad player is significant, especially given Quansah’s limited minutes over the last campaign. Lynch rightly points out that “it could be difficult for Liverpool to turn down such a figure,” particularly if Quansah expresses a desire to leave.

Yet the club’s predicament isn’t that straightforward. Arne Slot only has four senior centre-backs at his disposal: Van Dijk, Konaté, Quansah and Joe Gomez. With injury concerns hanging over the position in recent seasons, losing a defender of Quansah’s calibre could be a risk, especially without a reliable fifth option lined up.

Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s new sporting director, will be under pressure to navigate this tightrope. As Lynch summarised, “Such is the dilemma that Richard Hughes will have to ponder if a big bid comes in for the Warrington native.”

Slot’s Vision and Squad Management

Slot’s first season in charge could hardly have gone better. A Premier League title in his debut campaign has made him an instant fan favourite. But elite management is about evolution, not just success. If Quansah does depart, Slot will need to ensure the squad remains deep and competitive across all fronts.

Photo: IMAGO

There’s no indication that Liverpool are desperate to sell, but the player’s desire and the weight of the potential fee could turn heads. This isn’t just a matter of finance, it’s about managing expectations, maintaining harmony and planning for the long term.

Hughes Must Act Decisively

With the transfer window approaching fast, Liverpool’s decision-makers won’t have the luxury of delay. Interest in Quansah is likely to firm up quickly. Should a concrete offer in the region of £50m land on Hughes’ desk, he’ll need to decide swiftly: cash in and reinvest, or back the player and Slot’s development plans?

With the centre-back market notoriously volatile, replacing Quansah might not be easy. But it’s also true that this sort of money for a third or fourth choice defender doesn’t come along often.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s point of view, the Quansah situation is a bittersweet one. On one hand, we’re looking at a local lad, a product of the Academy, who made his mark during a turbulent period last season and earned the respect of fans and teammates alike. Seeing him leave would be gutting.

But on the other hand, £50m is a serious amount of money, especially for someone not currently in the starting XI. If Quansah genuinely wants to go and there’s interest from credible clubs, it would be harsh to stand in his way. That’s particularly true given how professional he’s been in a season where minutes were scarce.

Arne Slot has shown already that he can manage personalities and adapt tactically. If we’re to continue challenging on multiple fronts, having players fully committed to the cause is essential. No one should be kept against their will.

However, if Quansah leaves, Hughes needs to act quickly. We can’t afford to be caught short at centre-back, especially with our history of defensive injuries. There’s also something to be said for homegrown talent, and losing a player like Quansah shifts that balance in the squad.

If he goes, we thank him. If he stays, we back him. But whatever happens, this is a defining moment for Slot’s long-term squad evolution.