Fabrizio Romano: 22-year-old Liverpool Star has ‘Opened Doors’ to Summer Exit | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Defensive Reshuffle: Quansah’s Openness to Leverkusen Move Raises Big Questions

Liverpool’s summer transfer window continues to develop at pace, with fresh uncertainty surrounding the future of promising centre-back Jarell Quansah. As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Quansah “has opened doors to joining Bayer Leverkusen while clubs are in direct contact,” a clear indication that talks have progressed well beyond speculative interest.

For a player who made 25 appearances during a title-winning Premier League campaign, this is a surprising turn. The 22-year-old was largely seen as a key part of Liverpool’s future under Arne Slot, yet a €30 million move to Leverkusen is now being seriously considered.

According to Kicker, the Bundesliga champions are eager to add Quansah to their growing Liverpool collection after securing Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz in deals that were linked to the Merseyside club. This potential third transaction is not just about one defender’s future, but could influence Liverpool’s entire defensive strategy this summer.

Photo: IMAGO

Repercussions Across the Backline

Quansah’s exit would come amid ongoing questions around other senior defenders. Ibrahima Konaté, according to Times Sport, is yet to commit to new terms and is asking for a 40 percent pay rise. Joe Gomez, meanwhile, is attracting interest from abroad, leaving Liverpool with more questions than answers at the back.

The situation places added importance on recruitment. The club has been monitoring Brentford’s Nathan Collins, a robust, right-footed centre-half who played every Premier League minute last season. He fits the Slot mould — composed, quick, and technically solid — but bringing him in would take decisive and immediate action.

With Virgil van Dijk in his thirties and both Gomez and Konaté struggling to stay fit over recent seasons, Quansah was seen as the steady presence for the future. His departure would trigger the need for at least one new centre-back, possibly more depending on other outgoings.

Leverkusen’s Aggressive Strategy

There’s little doubt that Leverkusen are making bold moves in the market. Their intent to build a squad that can continue challenging at home and in Europe is visible, and their frequent links with Liverpool players are no coincidence. The Bundesliga champions are operating with a clear identity, and Quansah’s profile aligns well with their model — young, athletic, and already tested at the top level.

This may explain Quansah’s willingness to consider the move. With Liverpool’s depth chart stacked and competition fierce, regular first-team football in Germany under a progressive system could be a tempting next step.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool Must Act Fast

What was once a hypothetical link has now taken shape into something very real. Romano’s confirmation that “clubs are in direct contact” underlines the need for Liverpool to make a call. Do they see Quansah as a future starter worth holding onto, or do they bank the €30 million and reinvest in more experienced or stylistically aligned defenders?

Either way, the clock is ticking, and with two significant sales already completed in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Caoimhin Kelleher, Liverpool’s defensive refresh appears to be accelerating faster than originally planned.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

This one stings, and not just because Quansah is homegrown and fresh off helping us win the league. The timing feels off. Losing a young, composed centre-back with a massive ceiling just as our veteran defenders are starting to show their age is worrying. With Van Dijk not getting any younger and Konaté still struggling to string together 10 consecutive games, Quansah should be the one we’re building around — not cashing in on.

Sure, €30 million sounds nice, but what’s that worth if it means panic-buying a stopgap in late August? Brentford’s Nathan Collins is solid, no doubt, but he’s not proven at the same level. And while we all love Joe Gomez, injuries have plagued his best years. Letting Quansah go without a clear and immediate plan feels like rolling the dice.

The worry here is that we might be talking ourselves into short-term fixes instead of future-proofing the defence. If Arne Slot really wants a high line and fast transitions, we need mobile, disciplined defenders who know the system. Quansah looked like he could be that. Losing him now risks us undoing some of the stability we built last season.

Fans won’t take kindly to another young gem slipping through our fingers, especially to a club that keeps circling us like vultures. If Quansah goes, the pressure’s on to replace him smartly — and quickly.