Arsenal have reportedly expressed interest in signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah. Talks are currently in an exploratory phase, but sources suggest a deal for the player could be possible. This development follows further discussions by the Gunners regarding a transfer for Aston Villa‘s Ezri Konsa.
Aston Villa is seeking a fee of approximately £60m for Konsa, while Arsenal reportedly value the player closer to £40m. Quansah, who can play both centre-back and right-back, aligns with the type of player Arsenal is looking to acquire.
However, it is unclear if Arsenal‘s interest in the former Liverpool defender is a strategic move to aid their pursuit of Konsa, who is also an England team-mate of Quansah.
Squad considerations for Arsenal
Arsenal will begin their Premier League title defence without William Saliba, who is sidelined for an extended period due to a back injury sustained at the World Cup. The France international will miss the opening match against promoted Coventry City.
Additionally, Jurrien Timber, a Netherlands right-back, is also working to regain fitness after missing two months last season due to an ankle injury. These absences highlight the club’s potential need for defensive reinforcements.
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. His former club, Liverpool, holds an option to match any offer for Quansah as part of the agreement when he moved to the Bundesliga club last year. However, it is understood that Liverpool does not intend to activate this clause.
In other transfer news, Celtic midfielder Arne Engels is set to join 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, but Engels was reportedly keen on a move to English football.
Managerial insights and other transfers
O’Neill stated that Engels was likely undergoing a medical for West Ham, expressing disappointment at his departure but acknowledging the opportunity for the player. He noted that Engels had performed well for Celtic and had not complained when the earlier offer from Nottingham Forest was turned down.
Tottenham defender Djed Spence has arrived in Italy to finalise a move to Inter. Spence had a strong showing at the World Cup with England, but with Pedro Porro signing a new deal and Andy Robertson joining to provide cover, his opportunities at Tottenham were expected to be limited in the upcoming season. He previously had a six-month loan spell at Genoa in 2024.
Chelsea‘s teenage winger Ryan Kavuma-McQueen has secured a loan move to Portsmouth for the season. The England youth international made his senior Chelsea debut in an FA Cup match against Port Vale in April.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta commented on the current transfer market, stating that player valuations are determined by what clubs are willing to pay and what sellers are happy to accept. He also expressed positive energy about his team, noting the return of international players and their fitness levels.
Arteta also provided insight into Ethan Nwaneri, a 19-year-old forward who made 26 league appearances two seasons ago and was on loan at Marseille in January, where he scored two goals in nine Ligue 1 games. Arteta indicated he wants Nwaneri at the club, considering the medium and long term.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho, the former England winger, has left Manchester United this summer and is currently without a club. Reports suggest he is favouring a move abroad, having reportedly turned down several offers earlier in the transfer window. He was training with non-league Flixton to maintain fitness.
An £85m offer for Manchester City wide player Savinho has been mentioned, while Cody Gakpo continues to be linked with an exit from Liverpool, amidst the Reds’ interest in Bradley Barcola.
Source: bbc.co.uk