Arsenal in talks to sign ex-Liverpool star after Ezri Konsa transfer blow

Mikel Arteta wants to sign a new centre-back (Photo: Getty)

Arsenal have reportedly opened talks to sign former Liverpool defender and England World Cup star Jarell Quansah.

The Gunners are in the market for a centre-back this summer with star player William Saliba to miss the start of the new season with a back injury.

Arsenal say the France international will be sidelined for an ‘extended period’, with reports suggesting he could be out for a number of weeks or months depending on how his rehabilitation goes.

Mikel Arteta’s top target has been Ezri Konsa but a deal for the Aston Villa star is proving tricky.

The Villans are demanding £60million, and it is said that while the 28-year-old is open to moving to north London, he will not force a transfer this summer.

As a result, it seems Arsenal are happy to move onto alternative targets, with Sky Sports reporting that the reigning Premier League champions have begun talks with Bayer Leverkusen for Quansah.

Arteta is keen on the 23-year-old, who played alongside Konsa during the World Cup, in part because of his ability to play at centre-back and right-back.

Jarell Quansah helped England to third-place at the 2026 World Cup (Photo: Getty)

Right-back is also a position Arsenal may need strengthening in, with Jurrien Timber still in the treatment room and Ben White’s injury record less than satisfactory.

Quansah came through Liverpool’s academy, in all spending 17 years at the club, making 58 first-team appearances and winning the Premier League and League Cup.

But after falling out of favour with Arne Slot, he made the tough decision to leave Anfield last summer, joining Leverkusen in a deal worth £30m.

Quansah won the Premier League with Liverpool in 2025 before joining Bayer Leverkusen (Photo: Getty)

He made 43 appearances across all competitions in a turbulent season for the Bundesliga club, and did enough to earn a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.