Jarell Quansah is reportedly on the verge of a transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, with Liverpool agreeing to a fee for the defender. The deal is said to be worth up to £35 million, including a guaranteed £30 million with £5 million in add-ons. Crucially, Liverpool have reportedly negotiated a buy-back clause in the transfer, allowing them to re-sign Quansah for a set fee in the future.
The move comes after a busy summer of transactions between Liverpool and Leverkusen, with Liverpool already securing the signings of Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz from the Bundesliga club. Leverkusen, under new boss Erik ten Hag, have been looking for a centre-back after Jonathan Tah's departure to Bayern Munich. They have identified Quansah as the ideal replacement.
Quansah's move to Leverkusen offers him the opportunity for regular first-team football and Champions League exposure. Despite showing promise in his first season with Liverpool, he found it difficult to secure a consistent starting place under Arne Slot, with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate firmly established as the first-choice pairing. The potential arrival of another centre-back at Anfield could have further limited his opportunities.
Liverpool's decision to include a buy-back clause in the deal highlights their belief in Quansah's long-term potential. It allows them to receive a significant fee for the player while retaining the option to bring him back to the club if he develops as expected in Germany. This strategy reflects a growing trend at Liverpool of monetizing talent while maintaining future optionality.
The agreed fee of £30 million guaranteed plus £5 million in add-ons represents a healthy return for an academy-developed player. Quansah made 24 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool last season, but only five Premier League starts.
The transfer is subject to Quansah completing his medical with Leverkusen, which is scheduled to take place after his participation in the U21 European Championships with England. He is currently with the Young Lions side who have reached the quarter-finals.
Liverpool are reportedly planning to reinvest the funds raised from Quansah's sale into another centre-back. Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi has been mentioned as a potential target, although he is likely to want guarantees of regular first-team football ahead of next summer's World Cup. Other names linked with Liverpool include Levi Colwill and Lenny Yoro, who were targets in previous summers.
The departure of Quansah marks a strategic shift at Liverpool, focusing on developing young players and providing them with opportunities to gain experience elsewhere before potentially returning to the club. It also reflects the club's ambition to strengthen their squad with high-potential signings who can challenge for a starting place immediately.
