Newcastle United has reportedly joined the list of clubs tracking one of Bayer Leverkusen’s better defenders, although Liverpool is said to be leading the race to re-sign its former academy graduate.
The Magpies continue to assess defensive options during a summer of significant squad turnover, and a new report from Germany claims Jarell Quansah is among the center-backs attracting attention from across Europe, including Tyneside.
According to Fussballdaten, Liverpool has already held talks with Quansah’s
representatives and family as it explores bringing the England international back to Anfield just one year after his move to Leverkusen. However, the report also names Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan, Napoli and Borussia Dortmund among the clubs monitoring the 23-year-old’s situation.
Fussballdaten reports Bayer Leverkusen has no intention of selling Quansah during the current transfer window, viewing him as a key part of its long-term plans. The outlet adds that the Bundesliga club would only consider a departure through Liverpool’s buy-back clause, while suggesting any standard transfer negotiations would likely start in the €70 million to €80 million (£60 million to £68 million) range.
“The stance of German side Bayer Leverkusen, who have completely closed the door, suggests that the only way to resolve this transfer issue is through the buy-back clause in his contract,” the report says. “With the German representative completely closed to negotiations on the open market, the only legal option that could facilitate a transfer remains the buy-back clause in the previous contract between the two clubs.”
Fussballdaten, however, also outlined the player’s view of the situation, hinting at his possible preference for a move outside Germany if the right offer arrives at his table.
“Information from Jarell Quansah’s camp has brought the transfer saga to an even more sensitive point,” the report says. “The 23-year-old English centre-back has not yet made a clear and final decision regarding his future and the next step in his career.”
For now, Newcastle’s reported interest appears to be in a monitoring stage, with no indication in the report that the Magpies have opened talks or submitted an offer for Quansah, and with Liverpool in the lead for a reunion with its former player.
Quansah seems to be another center-back on Newcastle’s radar, but would you pursue a player who could cost so much and faces stiff competition, or focus on a more realistic defensive target? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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