Arsenal are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a possible deal for England defender Jarell Quansah. Mikel Arteta is keen to add to his defensive options and sees Quansah as a good addition, with his versatility in both the centre-back and right-back positions. Quansah has returned to Bayer Leverkusen after an extended break following his debut World Cup, in which he made three appearances for England.
He played 44 times in his first season in Germany having made the decision to leave his boyhood club Liverpool last summer. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player It's thought Leverkusen don't want to sell, having been impressed with the 23-year-old's performances in the Bundesliga, and his mature attitude in adapting to his new environment. It is likely that Arsenal would need to pay considerably more than the £30m the German club paid for Quansah last July to prise him away, with four years remaining on his contract.
Liverpool also have a buy-back clause from the deal which saw Quansah leave Anfield and move to Germany. With William Saliba out injured, Arsenal need some cover at centre-back. But it's not the only hole they have in defence, as right-back is a sore spot.
Jurrien Timber is still recovering from the groin problem that has kept him mostly sidelined since March, and Ben White's injury record is not the best. It is worth remembering that Cristhian Mosquera was forced to start Arsenal's Champions League final defeat out of position at right-back - and ended up conceding a penalty in Budapest. It is why Ezri Konsa has also been targeted by Arsenal, yet Aston Villa's asking price for a 28-year-old seems too steep.
At 23, his England team-mate Quansah could equally fill both holes in Arsenal's defence and could represent a better deal in the long-term. A centre-back by trade, the former Liverpool man featured on the right of a back three last season at Leverkusen. That was enough for Thomas Tuchel to take Quansah as one of his right-back options for England this summer - and remember, that was over Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Looking at his pass map for Leverkusen, Quansah often took up what is traditionally a right-back position for the Bundesliga side. It means once Saliba returns to full fitness to partner Gabriel at centre-back, Quansah has plenty to fight for in another role. But the full-back position at Arsenal is very different to a traditional full-back role.
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