Why Arsenal want Leverkusen star as transfer talks for England defender begin between Premier League holders and Bundesliga side

Arsenal are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen to sign England defender Jarell Quansah, according to a report.

Leverkusen do not want to sell and would expect “considerably more” than the £35 million the Bundesliga club paid Liverpool for Quansah in July 2025, Sky Sports have said.

The 23-year-old made three starts for England at the World Cup 2026, although he served a two-match suspension for a straight red card against Mexico in the last 16.

Jarell Quansah: Arsenal want Leverkusen deal

Quansah’s versatility is the key reason why Arsenal are interested, which England fans know about after Three Lions coach Thomas Tuchel turned to him at right-back after Reece James was injured at the finals.

While Quansah made his name as a centre-back, Arsenal are likely to use him on the right because Jurrien Timber has a groin issue and Ben White has a worrying injury record.

Arteta may have been impressed by Quansah during Arsenal’s 3-1 aggregate win over Leverkusen in last season’s Champions League last 16, playing every minute of that tie.

Liverpool are said to have a £68.4m buy-back clause for their academy graduate, who had been at Anfield since 2008 and had a loan spell at Bristol Rovers in 2023.

“Liverpool will always hold a special place in my heart,” Quansah said when he left for Leverkusen.

“It’s not just a club – it’s a family. This is goodbye for now, but I’ll always be watching – once a Red, always a Red.”

Jarell Quansah stats: Liverpool, Leverkusen

At Liverpool, Quansah made 58 appearances including his debut in August 2023, scored three goals and won the EFL Cup in 2024.

Leverkusen finished sixth last season, with only top two Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund faring better defensively in the Bundesliga.

Quansah was the 15th-most accurate passer in open play in the division, achieving 90.07%, although Arteta may hold concerns over the nine bookings he received – only five players earned more cautions.

Here are Quansah’s appearances and goals stats in all competitions last season, as well as a look at two stand-out statistics from his Bundesliga campaign.

Jarell Quansah: What Arsenal transfer target has said

“I’ve really loved it,” Quansah told the Bundesliga website of his move. “It’s been refreshing for me.

“I’ve started loving football again – being able to play week in, week out against some of the best teams in the world and showing what I’m capable of, what I can give to this team and to the fans as well.

“It’s never easy moving to a different country. Coming from the pressure of being at Liverpool, it’s not easy to come away from such a big club and try to build your own career off the back of being at one place for 17 years.”

Jarell Quansah: England debut ‘surreal’

Thomas Tuchel gave Quansah his England debut in a World Cup qualifier in Albania last November.

“It was a surreal moment I’ve been waiting for all my life,” reflected the Warrington-born player.

“I’m just so glad I could make it happen. Harry Kane even presented me with my cap. It was a super moment for me.

“[Tuchel’s] really good. He’s a breath of fresh air we needed in the England group as well, just giving us something different tactically.”

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