Arsenal have entered talks to sign £35m star, player 'very open' to transfer
Arsenal are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a possible deal for Jarell Quansah, according to Sky Sports journalist Rob Dorsett.
The Gunners are exploring the transfer market for a versatile defender who can play as a centre-back or right-back.
Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has been the priority target, but the £60 million asking price has put off the Gunners.
Dorsett now claims that Quansah has emerged as an option and talks have been held with Leverkusen for the 23-year-old.
However, the Bundesliga outfit have no desire to part ways with the Englishman.
Liverpool currently have a buy-back clause worth £59m in Quansah’s contract, but that option has expired for the summer.
Hence, Leverkusen are under no pressure to sell Quansah.
Quansah would be a good acquisition
The Liverpool graduate joined Leverkusen for £35m last summer, and went on to establish himself as a key player for the Bundesliga outfit.
Quansah made 44 appearances as a centre-back for Leverkusen last term, scoring five goals. He went on to represent England at the World Cup.
His World Cup campaign was a rather forgettable one after his red card against Mexico, but there is no doubt he has immense potential at 23.
He had a pass completion rate of 90 percent in the Bundesliga last term, and won 60 percent of his duels with three clearances and four recoveries per game.
Quansah is ‘very open‘ to joining Arsenal after learning about the interest, but the question remains whether the Gunners can persuade Leverkusen to sell.
Liverpool had an advantage with a £59m buy-back clause, which has expired for the summer.
This is a good thing for the Gunners, who can now negotiate without hurdles.
Leverkusen sanctioned Piero Hincapie’s move to Arsenal on an initial loan last summer with a conditional obligation to buy for £34.5 million at the end of the season.
The Gunners have developed a good working relationship with the German club, and they could yet persuade Leverkusen to part ways with Quansah for a profit.
They may have to pay a figure closer to £59m. Arsenal could be prepared to do so, given Quansah is almost six years younger than Konsa and could develop further.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been unwilling to pay more than £40m for Konsa’s services, but could be willing to spend much more to prise Quansah away from Leverkusen.
Arsenal are currently without centre-back William Saliba for an ‘extended period‘ with a back injury, while right-back Jurrien Timber continues to recover from a groin issue.
The Gunners are unlikely to end the transfer window without signing a versatile defender who can provide sufficient quality and depth in both of those positions.
Stats from Sofascore.com
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