Arsenal have opened discussions with German side Bayer Leverkusen about the possible acquisition of England centre‑back Jarell Quansah. Manager Mikel Arteta is eager to broaden his defensive options and regards Quansah as a valuable addition because of his ability to operate both as a traditional centre‑half and as a right‑back.
Quansah returned to Leverkusen after a brief hiatus following his debut at the World Cup, where he earned three caps for the Three Lions. During his inaugural season in the Bundesliga, Quansah featured in 44 matches after leaving his boyhood club Liverpool in the summer of 2022. He signed a four‑year contract with Leverkusen, and the German club paid roughly £30 million for his services.
Given that his deal still has three years left, Arsenal would likely need to offer a substantially higher fee to persuade Leverkafen to release him. According to German media Sky, the club does not currently view Quansah as a tradable asset. Moreover, Liverpool inserted a buy‑back clause into his contract that could be triggered for around £59.8 million (€70 million), adding another layer of complexity to any potential transfer.
Arsenal’s interest is not limited to Quansah. The Gunners are also monitoring Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa, who shares a similar profile – capable of playing at centre‑back as well as at right‑back.
Sky Sports reports a significant valuation gap between Arsenal and Villa for Konsa. The Villa side would reportedly require about £60 million for the 28‑year‑old, who has two years remaining on his contract. So far, Arsenal have not signalled a willingness to meet that figure, leaving the decision largely in the club’s hands. Konsa missed Villa’s recent UEFA Super Cup clash with Paris Saint‑Germain because he is still on a post‑World Cup break.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s defensive depth is under pressure. With William Saliba sidelined through injury, the club needs reliable cover at centre‑back, and the right‑back position has also been a weak point. Jurrien Timber is still recovering from a lingering groin issue that has kept him out for much of the season, while Ben White’s injury record remains spotty. In the Champions League final, Cristian Mosquera was forced to start at right‑back and even conceded a penalty, underscoring the need for a specialist in that role.
In this context, Quansah presents an attractive alternative. At 23, he offers both youth and versatility, potentially filling the gaps left by Saliba’s absence and the uncertainty surrounding the right‑back slot. While his primary position is centre‑back, he spent considerable time on the right side of Leverkusen’s back three last season, a role that caught the eye of England coach Thomas Tuchel, who selected him as a right‑back option for the national team – even ahead of the established Trent Alexander‑Arnold.
Analyzing his passing map for Leverkusen reveals that Quansah frequently occupied the traditional right‑back zone, suggesting that once Saliba returns to full fitness and partners Gabriel Jesus in central defence, Quansah could compete for a place further forward on the flank. However, Arsenal’s full‑back responsibilities differ from the conventional German model. Both Timber and Riccardo Calafiori are often asked to invert and drift inside the midfield, occasionally operating as hybrid centre‑forwards. In contrast, Arteta has previously demonstrated that he can accommodate more defensively‑oriented full‑backs, as seen with former Leverkusen player Piero Hincapié, who thrived in a more traditional defensive role under the Gunners.
Beyond the immediate transfer speculation, Arsenal’s upcoming schedule adds urgency to any defensive reinforcement. The club faces a busy early‑season programme that includes the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 16 in Cardiff, a Premier League home fixture versus Coventry on August 21, and a series of high‑profile league matches against Aston Villa, Chelsea, Sunderland, and Brighton throughout September. The intensity of these fixtures, combined with the physical demands of European competition, means that depth and flexibility in the back line will be crucial for Arteta’s plans. Should Arsenal succeed in securing Quansah, they would not only gain a player with proven Bundesliga experience but also a young English international who can develop alongside the existing defensive core.
The potential financial outlay, while likely exceeding the £30 million Leverkusen originally paid, could be justified by the long‑term value of a player who can serve in multiple positions and potentially command a higher resale value in the future. In summary, Arsenal are actively exploring a move for Jarell Quansah, weighing the cost against the strategic need for versatile defensive cover. Simultaneously, they are monitoring Ezri Konsa, though Villa’s asking price appears prohibitive at present.
With several key defenders injured or returning from long‑term layoffs, the Gunners’ recruitment window remains open, and any successful signing could prove pivotal as the club embarks on a demanding season across domestic and European fronts.