Liverpool Academy Graduate on Leverkusen Transfer Radar | OneFootball

Leverkusen Interest in Quansah Presents Summer Dilemma for Liverpool

Centre-back curiosity signals new test of Liverpool’s resolve

In a summer of regeneration and recalibration at Anfield, the name Jarell Quansah continues to divide opinion. As reported by The Athletic, Bayer Leverkusen have identified the 22-year-old as a potential addition to their defensive unit, following the departures of Jonathan Tah and Mario Hermoso. While the Wirtz-to-Liverpool deal edges closer, Leverkusen are now assessing whether a reverse negotiation could take place — this time for a centre-back Liverpool may not yet be ready to part with.

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Born in Warrington, Quansah represents something more than a promising defender. He is a product of Liverpool’s youth system, a local lad whose quiet determination and positional maturity offered fans a glimpse of the future, particularly during the 2023–24 campaign. At one stage, he displaced Ibrahima Konaté to partner Virgil van Dijk — a significant vote of confidence from the coaching staff.

However, the 2024–25 season has brought a different narrative. Quansah started Arne Slot’s first game in charge away at Ipswich but was substituted at half time and largely confined to the periphery thereafter, making only five Premier League starts. Despite totalling 25 appearances in all competitions, his impact was more muted than anticipated.

Leverkusen’s rebuild brings opportunity

With Tah heading to Bayern Munich and Kossounou unlikely to return, Leverkusen’s pursuit of a versatile, composed centre-back is logical. The German club, now managed by Erik ten Hag, are looking for stability and technical assurance in their back line — qualities Quansah showed in bursts during his breakout year.

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Importantly, this proposed move is separate from the Wirtz negotiations. Liverpool, understandably, value Quansah in excess of £40 million and have not been actively seeking offers. But interest from an upwardly mobile European side forces any club, however ambitious, to weigh immediate squad needs against future potential.

Slot’s vision may dictate the decision

Slot, still embedding his tactical philosophy at Anfield, must now decide whether Quansah is a core pillar of Liverpool’s next generation or a valuable asset best moved on to fund reinforcements elsewhere. His absence from England’s recent squads might dull the national buzz, but the raw talent remains evident.

Newcastle United had an offer turned away last summer, instead looking to Joe Gomez. That both defenders attracted Premier League interest is testament to the depth Liverpool still possess at the back. The question now is whether that depth is too rich for players like Quansah to progress.

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The interest in Jarell Quansah feels like a potential fork in the road. Letting him go now might bring in a respectable fee, but it would come at a long-term cost. At a time when Liverpool should be building a core of homegrown talent, moving on a player with Quansah’s pedigree could send mixed signals.

He’s not just a squad player — he’s a modern centre-back with presence, composure, and a grounding in the club’s principles. The fact that he broke into the side under Klopp and held his own next to Van Dijk shows the level he can reach. Yes, he faded from the picture under Slot, but transitions are turbulent, and young players often need time to adapt.

If the decision is driven by finances or by a short-term tactical mismatch, fans will rightly question the direction of the rebuild. The best clubs retain potential, especially when it comes from within. Quansah still has a future at Liverpool — and selling him now might be one of those moves that feels pragmatic today but regrettable in a season’s time.