The highly anticipated transfer of Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen appears to be on the verge of completion, with reliable sources indicating that a verbal agreement on personal terms has been reached. This development comes as Leverkusen’s star midfielder, Florian Wirtz, arrived in the UK on Thursday evening to finalize his own blockbuster £100 million move to Liverpool, undergoing a medical.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the verbal agreement between Quansah and Bayer Leverkusen, further fueling speculation that a deal between the two clubs is imminent. Initial reports suggested Liverpool sought between €40-45 million for the promising 22-year-old center-back. However, it is now rumored that Die Werkself have successfully negotiated the price down, with a deal potentially being finalized around €35 million.
While Liverpool is not actively seeking to sell Quansah, the young defender’s first-team opportunities were somewhat limited last season, making a move to the Bundesliga champions an attractive prospect. Quansah, who has been in contention for senior England squad call-ups, made 13 Premier League appearances for the Reds as they finished atop the league last year. He only recently signed a new five-year contract with Liverpool last October, highlighting his potential value to the club.
The discussions regarding Quansah’s transfer are understood to be separate from the ongoing negotiations for Florian Wirtz. The German international’s move to Anfield, valued at approximately £100 million, is expected to be completed by early next week following his medical. Wirtz’s arrival would significantly bolster Liverpool’s midfield options.
Adding another layer of complexity to Liverpool’s defensive picture, there is ongoing uncertainty surrounding the future of fellow center-back Ibrahima Konate, who has only 12 months remaining on his contract and is yet to agree to an extension. Joe Gomez’s future at the club also remains unclear.
In light of a potential Quansah departure, Liverpool has reportedly expressed interest in Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi. BBC Sport understands that Liverpool’s level of interest in the England international this summer is directly linked to Palace’s asking price. Last year, Palace rejected four offers from Newcastle, with the final bid reaching £65 million. However, with Guehi having just 12 months left on his current deal, he could be available on a free transfer next summer if a deal isn’t reached in the current window.
Meanwhile, Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has refuted earlier rumors linking Bayer Leverkusen with an interest in Loïc Badé, indicating their primary focus remains on securing Quansah.
The coming days are set to be crucial for both clubs as they look to finalize these significant transfers, shaping their squads for the upcoming season.
What to Watch:
- Official Announcements: Keep an eye out for official confirmations from both Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen regarding the transfers of Jarell Quansah and Florian Wirtz.
- Liverpool’s Defensive Strategy: How will Liverpool address their center-back situation if Quansah departs and Konate’s future remains uncertain? Will they pursue Marc Guehi aggressively, or explore other options?
- Wirtz’s Impact at Liverpool: Once confirmed, how quickly will Florian Wirtz integrate into the Liverpool squad, and what impact will he have on their attacking prowess?
- Quansah’s Role at Leverkusen: If the transfer is completed, what role will Jarell Quansah play in Bayer Leverkusen’s defense, especially as they look to build on their Bundesliga title win?
