Arsenal have opened discussions with German side Bayer Leverkusen about a potential transfer for England centre‑back Jarell Quansah. Manager Mikel Arteta is actively looking to broaden his defensive options and believes Quansah would be a valuable addition because of his ability to operate both as a centre‑back and as a right‑back. Quansah returned to Leverkusen after a lengthy break following his debut at the World Cup, where he earned three caps for England.
During his first season in the Bundesliga he featured in 44 matches after leaving his boyhood club Liverpool in the summer of last year. He has now signed a four‑year contract with Leverkusen, which means any interested club would have to meet a substantial fee to trigger his release. Sky Germany reports that Arsenal would likely need to exceed the £30 million that Leverkusen paid for him last July, given the remaining length of his deal.
Leverkusen, however, have publicly stated that Quansah is not for sale at this stage. Adding another layer of complexity, Liverpool inserted a buy‑back clause into the player's contract when he moved to Germany, valuing the clause at roughly £59.8 million (€70 million). This clause could become relevant if Arsenal were to succeed in their pursuit, potentially giving Liverpool a say in his future.
In addition to Quansah, Arsenal are also monitoring Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, who shares a similar profile – comfortable at both centre‑back and right‑back – and is also an England international. Sky Sports notes a significant valuation gap between Arsenal and Villa for Konsa. Villa are reportedly asking around £60 million for the 28‑year‑old, who has two years left on his contract.
Arsenal have not yet indicated a willingness to meet that price, leaving the decision largely in their hands. Konsa missed Villa's recent UEFA Super Cup match against Paris Saint‑Germain because he was still on post‑World Cup holiday. Meanwhile, Arsenal’s defensive depth has been stretched by injuries.
With William Saliba sidelined, Arteta needs cover at centre‑back, and the right‑back position is also a concern. Jurrien Timber is still recovering from a groin problem that has kept him out for most of the season, while Ben White’s injury record has been inconsistent.
In the Champions League final, Cristian Mosquera was forced to start at right‑back and even conceded a penalty, highlighting the lack of a natural option in that role. Because of these issues, the Gunners have turned their attention to both Konsa and Quansah.
While Konsa’s asking price appears steep, Quansah, at 23, could fill both defensive gaps and represent a longer‑term investment. Primarily a centre‑back, Quansah was also deployed on the right side of a back three at Leverkusen last season, which caught the eye of England manager Thomas Tuchel, who selected him as a right‑back option for the national team – a decision that even displaced Trent Alexander‑Arnold. Statistically, Quansah’s pass map at Leverkusen shows him frequently occupying the traditional right‑back zone, suggesting he is comfortable in that role.
Should Saliba return to full fitness and re‑establish his partnership with Gabriel, Quansah would likely need to compete for a place at right‑back. However, Arsenal’s full‑back responsibilities differ from the conventional model. Players such as Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are often asked to invert inside the midfield, sometimes operating almost as auxiliary centre‑forwards. In contrast, Arteta has previously demonstrated that more defensively disciplined full‑backs can thrive in his system, as seen with former Leverkusen player Piero Hincapié.
Beyond the immediate transfer speculation, Arsenal’s upcoming schedule provides context for why strengthening the back line is urgent. The club will face Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16 in Cardiff, followed by Premier League fixtures against Coventry (August 21), Aston Villa (August 31), Chelsea (September 6), Sunderland (September 12), and Brighton (September 19). These matches will test the depth and versatility of Arteta’s defensive options, especially given the early‑season intensity and the potential for further injuries. In summary, Arsenal are weighing two English defenders who can operate across the back line.
Quansah offers youth, versatility, and experience at both centre‑back and right‑back, while Konsa provides a more established profile but at a higher price tag. The final decision will hinge on Arsenal’s willingness to meet Leverkusen’s valuation, navigate Liverpool’s buy‑back clause, and balance their budget against the pressing need for defensive reinforcement ahead of a demanding opening month of fixtures.