Arsenal's transfer enquiries for England star gets definitive response

Arsenal have reportedly suffered a setback in their search for another defender after Bayer Leverkusen informed the club that Jarell Quansah is not for sale.

According to journalist Lewis Bower, Arsenal have been told that the Bundesliga club currently consider the England international unavailable “at any price”, despite recent enquiries over a potential transfer.

The stance represents a significant development after Arsenal stepped up their interest in Quansah last week as they explored alternatives to Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.

Previous reports had it that Arsenal had opened negotiations with Leverkusen.

Quansah had emerged as an attractive option because of his age, Premier League experience and ability to operate both centrally and at right-back.

The 23-year-old only moved to Germany from Liverpool last summer, with the Reds receiving an initial fee of around £30 million after he made 58 senior appearances for his boyhood club.

He subsequently enjoyed an impressive first campaign in Germany and established himself as an important member of the Leverkusen defence, strengthening his standing within the England setup.

Liverpool also protected themselves when selling their academy graduate by negotiating a substantial buy-back clause, further complicating any attempt by another Premier League club to prise him away.

Leverkusen’s reported refusal to negotiate could now push Arsenal back towards Konsa as they attempt to reinforce Mikel Arteta’s defensive options before the transfer deadline.

Arsenal have already had an approach rejected for the Aston Villa defender, with Villa valuing the 28-year-old at around £60m..

Konsa is reportedly Arteta’s preferred option because the Arsenal manager wants someone capable of immediately slotting into his team.

The urgency surrounding another defensive addition has increased because William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are both unavailable, with Saliba facing a longer spell on the sidelines.

Quansah appeared capable of providing cover for both absences, but Leverkusen’s latest stance leaves little room for Arsenal to progress unless the German club dramatically change their position.

Arsenal could therefore have to decide whether to move closer to Villa’s valuation of Konsa or pursue another alternative, with Como defender Jacobo Ramon among the other names linked.

The club remain active despite starting their season with an impressive 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City on Sunday.

However, unless Leverkusen reconsider, Quansah appears to have been effectively removed from Arsenal’s shortlist regardless of how much they are prepared to offer.

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