Jarell Quansah Nears Bayer Leverkusen Exit in £35m Deal
Liverpool have agreed to a £35 million deal to sell young defender Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, with the transfer expected to be finalized in the coming days. The 22-year-old, who emerged as a promising talent from Liverpool’s academy, is set to depart Anfield after negotiations accelerated during the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Quansah’s medical is scheduled for June 25, 2025, with the move likely to be confirmed shortly after, marking a significant shift in Liverpool’s defensive strategy under Arne Slot.
Quansah, a product of Liverpool’s youth system since age five, made 34 Premier League appearances last season, forming a solid partnership with Virgil van Dijk. His composure on the ball—completing 92% of his passes—and defensive nous, with 78 clearances and 45 interceptions, earned him praise as a future cornerstone. However, the arrival of Milos Kerkez (£40m from Bournemouth) and Liverpool’s pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi have reshaped the club’s defensive hierarchy, limiting Quansah’s pathway to regular starts. With Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez also vying for places, Slot deemed Quansah expendable, despite his potential.
Bayer Leverkusen, fresh off selling Florian Wirtz to Liverpool for £116 million, moved swiftly to secure Quansah as a long-term replacement for Jonathan Tah, whose contract is nearing its end. Manager Xabi Alonso, a former Liverpool midfielder, sees Quansah as an ideal fit for his high-pressing, possession-based system. The England U21 international’s 6’3” frame, coupled with his ability to play out from the back (1,892 successful passes last season), aligns with Leverkusen’s tactical demands. The £35 million fee, which includes add-ons tied to appearances and trophies, represents a tidy profit for Liverpool, who nurtured Quansah through their academy.
The move has sparked mixed reactions among Liverpool fans on X. Some lament the loss of a homegrown talent, with one user posting, “Quansah’s exit feels like letting go of our future,” while others trust Slot’s vision, citing the club’s recent signings. For Quansah, the transfer offers a chance to play regularly in the Bundesliga and compete in the Champions League. As Liverpool continue their summer overhaul, with over £200 million spent, Quansah’s departure underscores their ruthless approach to squad-building in pursuit of silverware.
