Jarell Quansah’s reported price tag would make him a serious bargain

Arsenal’s need for a defender is clear.

William Saliba’s back injury as well as the ongoing concerns around Jurrien Timber’s fitness have left them short at the back.

Ezri Konsa has been the primary target but Aston Villa are holding out for £60million, which Arsenal are unwilling to go to.

Cristian Romero was another option explored, but the obvious complication dealing with Tottenham made that impossible.

Now, Jarell Quansah has emerged as a serious alternative with Arsenal in formal talks with Bayer Leverkusen.

Jarell Quansah could cost considerably less than Ezri Konsa

Ed Aarons of The Guardian has now put a figure on what a deal could cost — at least €50million, or around £43million.

When you compare that to the £60million Konsa will cost, who is five years older than Quansah, that wouldn’t be the worst idea.

Both players were of course part of England’s World Cup squad, but the Villa man is viewed higher up in the pecking order, having featured in all eight games. Quansah, meanwhile, played three.

They are similar in the sense that both are conventional Premier League-proven centre-backs, who can also cover at right-back. That’s exactly what Arteta is after.

Konsa may be more ‘solid’ and more experienced, but Quansah has already played in the Champions League 15 times.

Quansah is also arguably the better ball-player of the two, and arguably has better right-back potential than Konsa.

Liverpool inserted a buy-back option when they sold Quansah to Leverkusen last summer for £35million, but that €70million clause has now expired, giving Arsenal a free run.

However, Leverkusen don’t want to sell the defender, who has four years remaining on his contract.

Quansah himself, however, is open to the move if it develops — why wouldn’t he be?

A deal already has the approval of ex-Gunners man Paul Merson if Andrea Berta can get the ball moving with this one.