Arsenal are in active talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a potential deal for England defender Jarell Quansah, while the club also weighs defensive targets and navigates ongoing squad speculation during the European transfer window.
Arsenal Target Jarell Quansah in Bayer Leverkusen Talks
Arsenal have opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen regarding a possible move for England defender Jarell Quansah, according to reporting from Sky Sports. Mikel Arteta is keen to reinforce his defensive options and views the 23-year-old as an appealing target due to his versatility across both centre-back and right-back positions.
Quansah returned to Bayer Leverkusen following an extended break after making three appearances for England at his debut World Cup. During his first season in Germany following his departure from Liverpool last summer, he made 44 appearances and scored on his Bundesliga debut in a 2-1 defeat to Hoffenheim.
However, extracting the defender from the Bundesliga side will not be straightforward. Bayer Leverkusen paid roughly £30m for Quansah last July and currently do not consider him for sale, with four years remaining on his contract. Furthermore, Liverpool hold a buy-back option set at approximately £59.8m (€70m).
Evaluating Defensive Depth and Alternative Targets
Arsenal’s defensive recruitment drive is driven by personnel shortages and tactical needs. With William Saliba sidelined due to injury, the club faces a distinct drop in defensive solidity; historical metrics indicate that Arsenal’s win rate falls from 68 per cent to 50 per cent when Saliba is out of the starting lineup.
Right-back remains a vulnerable area for the squad. Jurriën Timber continues to recover from a groin problem that has kept him largely sidelined since March, and Ben White deals with persistent fitness concerns. During the Champions League final defeat in Budapest, Cristhian Mosquera was forced to start out of position at right-back and conceded a penalty.
Alongside Quansah, Arsenal have maintained an interest in Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa. Both players share a profile as right-back and centre-back options, but a significant valuation gap exists. Aston Villa value the 28-year-old at around £60m, with two years remaining on his contract, and Arsenal have not yet shown a willingness to meet that price tag. Konsa missed Villa’s UEFA Super Cup match against Paris Saint-Germain due to his post-World Cup holiday.
Gabriel Martinelli Declines Galatasaray Approach
While defensive additions remain a priority, movement on the outgoing front has faced hurdles. However, Flashscore reports that Martinelli will not be heading to Turkey, having informed Arsenal that he has no interest in a move to the Turkish club at this stage of his career.
Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen remains a prominent figure in transfer discussions. Galatasaray recently turned down a substantial bid for the forward, though reports indicate Arsenal view the Nigerian international as a top target, with a potential fee of 70 million euros required to bring him to the Premier League.
Broader European Transfer Market Context
The wider European transfer window features significant activity across major leagues. Tottenham are closing in on the signing of Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, while club captain Cristian Romero has bid farewell ahead of an expected move to Atletico Madrid. In another notable deal, Manchester City midfielder Tijjani Reijnders accepted a move to Al Qadsiah following a completed €61 million agreement.
Elsewhere, Besiktas announced the arrival of Dusan Vlahovic following his departure from Juventus.
“Regarding the transfer of professional football player Dusan Vlahovic, a three-year contract has been signed with the player, effective from the 2026-2027 season until the end of the 2028-2029 season. The player will be paid a guaranteed fee of €7,500,000 for each football season.”
Besiktas
Upcoming Fixtures and Unresolved Questions
Arsenal face a demanding early-season schedule that will test their current depth before the transfer window closes. The fixtures include a Community Shield clash against Manchester City on August 16 at Cardiff, followed by Premier League matches against Coventry on August 21, Aston Villa on August 31, Chelsea on September 6, Sunderland on September 12, and Brighton on September 19.
Whether Arsenal can bridge the valuation gap with Bayer Leverkusen for Quansah or persuade Aston Villa on Konsa remains the central question for Arteta’s recruitment team as the fixtures begin.
