Jarell Quansah Set to Smash Liverpool Academy Record in £35m Move | OneFootball

Jarell Quansah and the Value of Liverpool’s Academy Production

Liverpool have developed a knack for commanding top fees not only for star players but increasingly for those developed at Kirkby. The impending £35 million sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen marks the latest example of how the club have weaponised their Academy, maximising both talent development and financial return.

Quansah, who featured prominently in Arne Slot’s title-winning squad, is set to become Liverpool’s most expensive academy sale. Notably, this sum does not stem from a lengthy first-team legacy, but from strong performances, physical potential and composure under pressure during his breakthrough campaign. It is not the first time Liverpool have capitalised on timing and development. Under Michael Edwards’ guidance, this strategic pattern has become a defining feature of their off-field identity.

Photo: IMAGO

Historical Benchmark Setters

Until Quansah’s move becomes official, five players headline Liverpool’s most lucrative academy exports — assuming we discount prospects originally signed from rival youth systems.

Fifth on the list is Michael Owen, whose 2004 departure to Real Madrid fetched only £8 million due to his expiring contract. For a Ballon d’Or winner who had electrified the Premier League, the fee was more a reflection of poor contract management than talent undervaluation.

Just ahead is Robbie Fowler, sold to Leeds United in 2001 for £11 million. Fowler’s exit marked a sombre chapter at Anfield, with Gerard Houllier’s ruthlessness contrasting with fan sentiment. Despite injury setbacks, that fee was a Premier League record for the club at the time.

Fast forward two decades to Harry Wilson, sold to Fulham for £12 million in 2021. After several productive loans, Wilson’s sale reinforced Liverpool’s ability to monetise fringe talent. He had made only two senior appearances but still commanded a hefty fee, a reflection of his Championship consistency.

Then comes Caoimhin Kelleher, whose switch to Brentford this summer initially brought in £12.5 million. Add-ons could push that higher, yet even without them, the Irish goalkeeper ranks second. His reliable presence when deputising for Alisson Becker certainly merited more, but again, Liverpool timed his exit to maintain momentum in the market.

Photo: IMAGO

Top of the historical list — for now — is Neco Williams. Sold to Nottingham Forest for £17 million in 2022, Williams had shown promise during his loan at Fulham and proved too good to remain second fiddle to Trent Alexander-Arnold. His progression into a dependable Premier League starter now justifies the fee.

Maximising Value from Homegrown Assets

Quansah’s situation mirrors a broader shift in how clubs view academy talent. It is no longer solely about producing players for the first team. Instead, it is about shaping prospects with the potential for top-level football and then realising their value, often before they hit their perceived peak.

Liverpool’s approach is both pragmatic and profitable. They cultivate trust in young players, offer them chances in high-pressure environments, then allow them to move when the balance of development and demand tips favourably. Quansah’s reported £35 million fee is not just a number, it is a signal to Europe’s elite that Liverpool’s Academy has become a production line for both quality and capital.

Kirkby’s Role in Financial Sustainability

What distinguishes Liverpool is their ability to blend success on the pitch with operational sharpness off it. The Academy is not just a footballing resource, it is an asset within the club’s wider business model. Selling players like Quansah, Kelleher and Williams funds future recruitment, supports wage flexibility and sustains competitive advantage.

With Arne Slot now overseeing the next evolution of the project, expect this trend to continue. Liverpool are not just developing footballers — they are shaping high-yield investments that serve both the sporting and economic blueprint of the club.