Arsenal are currently in advanced discussions with German side Bayer Leverkusen about the possible acquisition of England international defender Jarell Quansah. Manager Mikel Arteta has expressed a clear desire to broaden his defensive options, viewing Quansah as a versatile addition who can operate effectively both as a centre‑back and as a right‑back. This flexibility aligns with Arteta's plans to add depth and competition to a back line that has suffered several injury setbacks this season. Quansah returned to Leverkusen after a brief hiatus following his World Cup debut, during which he earned three caps for England.
His performances at the tournament demonstrated his composure on the big stage and highlighted his ability to adapt to different tactical demands. In his first full season in the Bundesliga, Quansah featured in 44 matches, having left his boyhood club Liverpool in the summer of last year to seek regular first‑team football abroad. Financially, Arsenal would likely need to outlay a sum well above the €30 million (£30 million) that Bayer Leverkusen originally paid for the 23‑year‑old defender last July. Quansah still has four years remaining on his contract, giving Leverkusen considerable leverage in any negotiation.
According to German media outlet Sky, the German club does not currently view Quansah as a player they are willing to sell, which could drive the price even higher. Complicating matters further, Liverpool have inserted a buy‑back clause into Quansah’s contract with Leverkusen, reportedly valued at around £59.8 million (€70 million).
This clause gives Liverpool the option to re‑sign the defender for a predetermined fee, meaning any interested party must also consider the possibility of Liverpool exercising that right. Arsenal’s interest is not limited to Quansah. The Gunners have also been linked with Aston Villa centre‑back Ezri Konsa, another England international who shares a similar profile with Quansah.
Both players are comfortable at right‑back and centre‑back, offering tactical flexibility. However, Sky Sports reports a significant valuation gap between Arsenal and Villa for Konsa. The Villa side is said to be asking roughly £60 million for the 28‑year‑old, who still has two years left on his contract. To date, Arsenal have not indicated a willingness to meet that figure, leaving the decision in their hands to persuade Villa to lower their asking price.
Konsa missed Villa’s recent UEFA Super Cup appearance against Paris Saint‑Germain because he is still on a post‑World Cup holiday, further underscoring the timing of Arsenal’s transfer targets. Sam Blitz of Sky Sports noted that, with William Saliba currently sidelined through injury, Arsenal need immediate cover at centre‑back.
The club also faces a shortage at right‑back, a position that has been a chronic weak point. Jurrien Timber is still recovering from a groin injury that has kept him out for much of the season, and Ben White’s injury record has been inconsistent. In the Champions League final, Arsenal were forced to start Cristhian Mosquera at right‑back, a position he was not accustomed to, and he eventually conceded a penalty in Budapest.
Given these defensive vulnerabilities, Arsenal view Quansah as a potentially more economical long‑term solution compared with Konsa. While Konsa is 28 and commands a higher price, Quansah is only 23 and offers the same positional versatility at a lower cost.
At Bayer Leverkusen, Quansah primarily played as a centre‑back in a back‑three, but he also drifted into the right‑back slot, a role that caught the eye of England manager Thomas Tuchel, who selected him as a right‑back option for the national team this summer, even ahead of Trent Alexander‑Arnold. Analyzing his passing map from his time at Leverkusen shows Quansah frequently occupying the traditional right‑back zone, suggesting he is comfortable contributing to both defensive duties and forward momentum on the flank. Should Saliba regain full fitness and return to partner Gabriel Jesus in central defence, Quansah could still compete for a place, perhaps as a right‑back or as a hybrid defender in Arteta’s system. Arsenal’s full‑back role, however, differs from the conventional full‑back responsibilities seen in the Bundesliga.
Players such as Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are often instructed to invert inside the midfield, at times functioning almost as auxiliary centre‑forwards. In contrast, Arteta has previously employed more defensively disciplined full‑backs, exemplified by former Leverkusen player Piero Hincapié, who thrived in a system that demanded solidity and positional awareness. Looking ahead, Arsenal’s schedule is packed with key fixtures that will test the depth of their squad.
The season kicks off with the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 16 in Cardiff, followed by a Premier League home match against Coventry on August 21. Subsequent league games include away trips to Aston Villa on August 31, home clashes with Chelsea on September 6, and further fixtures against Sunderland, Brighton and other opponents throughout September. These matches will provide ample opportunities for any new defensive signing to prove their worth. In summary, Arsenal’s pursuit of Jarell Quansah reflects a strategic move to secure a young, adaptable defender capable of filling multiple roles across the back line.
While financial hurdles and contractual clauses present challenges, the potential reward—a player who can address immediate injury concerns and grow into a long‑term asset—makes the negotiation worthwhile. Simultaneously, the club continues to monitor other targets such as Ezri Konsa, though price disagreements remain a barrier. The coming weeks will reveal whether Arsenal can finalize a deal that strengthens their defence ahead of a demanding season schedule.