Arsenal have reportedly expressed interest in signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah. Discussions are currently in an exploratory phase, though sources suggest a potential agreement for the player could be reached.
This development follows earlier talks by the Gunners regarding a transfer for Aston Villa‘s Ezri Konsa. Villa is seeking approximately £60m for Konsa, while Arsenal values the player closer to £40m.
Quansah, who is capable of playing both as a centre-back and right-back, aligns with the type of player Arsenal is looking to recruit. However, it is unclear if the interest in the former Liverpool defender is a tactic to aid their pursuit of Konsa, who is also an England team-mate of Quansah.
Arsenal will be without William Saliba for the start of their Premier League title defence against promoted Coventry City next weekend. The France international centre-back is sidelined for an extended period due to a back injury sustained at the World Cup. Additionally, Netherlands right-back Jurrien Timber, who missed two months last season with an ankle injury, is also working towards full fitness.
Quansah’s Recent Performance and Club Situation
Quansah was part of the England squad that reached the semi-finals of the World Cup this summer. He started three matches at right-back during the tournament but received a red card in the last-16 game against Mexico. This led to him missing the quarter-final victory over Norway and the semi-final defeat by Argentina.
Last season, Quansah made 44 appearances for Leverkusen, scoring five goals. Liverpool retains an option to match any offer for Quansah, a clause from his transfer to the Bundesliga club last year. However, it is understood that Liverpool does not intend to activate this clause.
In other transfer news, Manchester City has confirmed that Finley Burns, a centre-back who spent last season on loan at Reading, has joined Wigan Athletic permanently. Burns, 23, previously had loan spells at Hull and Stevenage.
Celtic midfielder Arne Engels is expected to complete a move to West Ham, as confirmed by manager Martin O’Neill. Celtic had previously rejected a £25m bid from Nottingham Forest for the Belgium international during the January transfer window. Engels had expressed a desire to move to English football.
O’Neill stated that Engels was likely undergoing a medical and expressed disappointment at his departure, acknowledging the player’s strong performance for the club. He noted that even though the offer from Nottingham Forest came late, Engels remained professional.
Other Transfer Market Activity
Tottenham defender Djed Spence has arrived in Italy to finalise a move to Inter. Spence, 26, had an impressive World Cup with England. However, with Pedro Porro signing a new deal as Spurs‘ first-choice right-back and Andy Robertson brought in for left-back cover, his opportunities for the 2026-27 season were expected to be limited.
Spence will continue his career in Milan, having told onlookers “Forza Inter” upon his arrival. He will depart Tottenham after four years in north London, during which he made 85 appearances and earned a Europa League winners’ medal. This will be his second stint in Italy, following a six-month loan at Genoa in 2024.
Teenage winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen from Chelsea has secured a loan move to Portsmouth for the season. The 17-year-old England youth international made his senior debut for Chelsea in a 7-0 FA Cup victory against Port Vale in April, coming on as a substitute in the 78th minute.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho expressed satisfaction with the acquisition, describing Kavuma-McQueen as a very talented young player with significant potential. He highlighted the player’s speed, directness, and ability to play on both sides, noting that he is highly rated by both Portsmouth and Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho, the former England winger, has left Manchester United this summer and is currently without a club. Reports suggest that Sancho is favouring a move abroad, having reportedly turned down several offers earlier in the transfer window. He has been training with non-league club Flixton to maintain his fitness ahead of the new season.
An £85m offer for Manchester City winger Savinho has been mentioned, and Cody Gakpo continues to be linked with a departure from Liverpool, amidst Liverpool‘s interest in Bradley Barcola. This suggests a potential series of moves involving left-wing players.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta commented on the current transfer market, stating that the value of a player is determined by what someone is willing to pay. He noted that clubs are either happy to invest or to maintain their valuations, and that players are also happy to move between clubs.
Arteta also shared his positive outlook on his team, expressing a strong sense of energy and hunger among the players, all of whom have returned from international duty in good condition.
Source: bbc.co.uk
