Quansah Joins Leverkusen in £35M Move as Liverpool Reshapes Defense
Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of 22-year-old center-back Jarell Quansah from Liverpool in a deal valued at £35 million. The transfer was confirmed Tuesday, with the England U21 international agreeing to a five-year contract with the German champions.
Quansah’s move comes just three days after helping England lift the UEFA European Under-21 Championship title with a 2–1 victory over Germany. He featured prominently throughout the tournament and played in the final.
The defender becomes Leverkusen’s third acquisition from Liverpool this summer. The Bundesliga club earlier finalized deals that sent midfielder Florian Wirtz and right-back Jeremie Frimpong to Anfield.
Quansah made 58 appearances for Liverpool’s senior squad after rising through the club’s youth academy. He scored three goals during his time at Anfield and was part of the team that won the League Cup in 2024. Last season, he featured 13 times in the Premier League, playing a role in Arne Slot’s title-winning campaign.
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes praised Quansah’s adaptability and physical edge. “He has already made an impressive impact in a Liverpool defense filled with world-class players,” Rolfes said in a club statement. “With Jarell, our backline gains speed, grit, and defensive strength. He is a key piece for our long-term plans.”
Liverpool turned down a bid from Newcastle United for Quansah last summer. That proposed deal involved winger Anthony Gordon moving to Anfield. The Reds rejected the offer, opting to keep Quansah at the time.
Because Quansah came through Liverpool’s youth system, the £35 million transfer fee will be registered as 100% profit under the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. That provides a financial boost for Liverpool as they consider defensive reinforcements ahead of the 2025–26 season.
The club has shown interest in Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konaté has one year left on his contract, and no extension has been agreed. Joe Gomez’s future also remains in question, adding further uncertainty to Liverpool’s defensive setup.
Quansah’s departure signals both the end of a promising chapter at Anfield and a significant investment by Leverkusen in strengthening their back line as they prepare to defend their Bundesliga title.
