Paul Joyce Confirms Liverpool Could Sign Defender on Free Transfer

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Jarell Quansah's Bayer Leverkusen Move Signals Strategic Shift at Liverpool
Liverpool's decision to sell Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth up to £35 million is a move layered with intent rather than desperation. As reported by Paul Joyce of The Times, the Anfield club is pushing to include a buy-back clause in the transfer, underscoring the belief they still hold in the 22-year-old defender.
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'Liverpool now negotiating a buy-back clause as part of the deal' reflects a growing trend at the club — monetising talent while maintaining future optionality. With only 488 Premier League minutes to his name last season and a single start before the club secured the title under Arne Slot, Quansah's on-pitch exposure was limited. Yet, his progress at youth international level has not gone unnoticed.
On Saturday, he helped Lee Carsley's England Under-21s to a 3-1 quarter-final win over Spain, setting up a semi-final clash with the Netherlands.
Photo: IMAGO
Leverkusen Connection Growing Stronger
The transfer continues a busy summer of transactions between the Merseyside giants and Leverkusen. The two clubs had already conducted major business with the transfers of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool for a combined total reportedly in the region of £145.5 million.
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Quansah's exit, in contrast, represents a calculated piece of business. The agreed £30 million guaranteed fee plus £5 million in add-ons (€41 million overall) gives Liverpool a healthy return for an academy-developed player, while keeping the door ajar should he flourish in Germany.
The growing cooperation between the two clubs might also be strategic. Bayer Leverkusen offers Liverpool's fringe talents Champions League exposure and Bundesliga development in a similarly competitive structure to the Premier League. A buy-back clause would align with that vision, particularly under the oversight of new sporting director Richard Hughes.
Central Defence Options and Market Watch
With Quansah likely to exit, Liverpool's centre-back depth could come into sharper focus. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté remain first-choice, but injuries and rotation make reinforcement a possibility.
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Paul Joyce also reports that 'Liverpool are interested in Crystal Palace centre back Marc Guéhi, who has 12 months remaining on his contract.' That interest appears to be long-standing and genuine. However, Palace's valuation will likely determine whether Liverpool act now or wait to potentially secure him on a free next summer.
Photo: IMAGO
Guéhi's Premier League experience and age profile fit Liverpool's recruitment model. However, this move would also signal that Arne Slot wants a more senior option to supplement his defensive ranks.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
There's a feeling among some fans that Liverpool may be letting go of Quansah a little too soon, especially given the flashes of composure and physical presence he showed last season. That said, the inclusion of a buy-back clause would make this a far more palatable decision, and it's a structure that worked well in the past with the likes of Taiwo Awoniyi and even former academy players who thrived abroad.
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The £35 million fee is smart business and reflects the growing strength of Liverpool's youth development. What's crucial here is that the money appears to be part of a wider reallocation of resources — perhaps towards a player like Marc Guéhi who, with just a year left on his deal, could arrive at a relative discount compared to his true market value.
Arne Slot, fresh off a title-winning debut campaign, is clearly building a side not just for now but for sustained success. This deal also sends a clear message to other young prospects at Kirkby: opportunities will come, but the standards are sky-high. If you aren't in the picture now, Liverpool won't hesitate to let you grow elsewhere — and possibly return later.