Manchester United and Arsenal Battle for Jarell Quansah
Jarell Quansah was supposed to be Liverpool’s next defensive pillar. Now Manchester United and Arsenal are locked in talks to make him theirs.
The 23-year-old, who left Anfield for Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a deal worth around £30m, has become one of the most sought-after centre-backs in Europe after a standout first season in Germany and a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup.
Liverpool’s plan had seemed clear enough: let Quansah grow abroad, then bring him home. They even inserted a £60m buy-back clause. But that clause, reported at €70m, expired this summer, and recent reports suggest Liverpool have no intention of activating it in this window.
That hesitation has blown the race wide open.
Arsenal move first
Arsenal made the early move. With interest in Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa complicated, the Gunners turned to Quansah as a high-level alternative and made contact with his camp this week.
Fabrizio Romano reported on X that Arsenal have opened “initial talks” with the player’s representatives, while Leverkusen are determined to keep one of their key men for the coming season. The German champions are under no pressure to sell and, crucially, there are no clauses in Quansah’s contract that benefit anyone but Liverpool – and Liverpool’s window has closed.
Arsenal’s pitch is obvious: a ball-playing defender comfortable stepping into midfield, strong in the air and calm under pressure, dropped straight into Mikel Arteta’s intricate system. For a side that leans heavily on controlled possession and aggressive pressing, Quansah fits the profile.
United step in
Just as Arsenal tried to steal a march, Manchester United entered the conversation.
According to Football Transfers, United are now in “active talks” over a deal for Quansah and have “stepped up their move” for the versatile defender. At this stage, Arsenal are thought to be slightly ahead, but that advantage is fragile.
The dynamic is clear. Arsenal enjoy a strong working relationship with Leverkusen, which could help at the negotiating table. Leverkusen, though, are reluctant sellers and are expected to demand a fee well above the €35m they paid Liverpool last year.
Early indications point to a sizeable gap between Arsenal’s valuation and Leverkusen’s asking price. That gap is where United see their chance. If Arsenal hesitate or try to drag the price down, United could be the ones willing to go closer to Leverkusen’s number.
A talent Liverpool let go
For many around the Bundesliga, none of this comes as a shock.
“The answer to Liverpool’s centre-back problems should have been Jarell Quansah,” Bundesliga analyst Ronan Murphy told Football Transfers. He underlined what Liverpool already knew: Quansah was widely viewed as Virgil van Dijk’s natural successor.
But timing beat sentiment. Quansah wanted minutes, Liverpool could not guarantee them, and Leverkusen offered a starting role in a title-chasing side. He moved in 2025 to test himself, and in 12 months he has done exactly that.
Murphy pointed out that while a Premier League return so soon after a €35m move is no surprise, the real twist is that it is not Liverpool leading the chase. Instead, it is Arsenal who have been most strongly linked, with United now joining the fight.
Arteta, in particular, would see value in Quansah’s composure in possession, his aerial dominance at set pieces and his overall defensive presence. This is not a project signing; this is a defender ready to step into a Champions League back line.
Quansah has never hidden his ambition. He said back in 2024 that he wants to be the best defender in Europe. Staying at Leverkusen might not give him the platform or spotlight to reach that claim.
Arsenal and Manchester United can. The question now is simple: who is willing to pay Leverkusen’s price to find out how high he can climb?
