Arsenal interested in shock Jarell Quansah deal as key Ezri Konsa issue remains | OneFootball

Gunners keen on England duo as move for versatile new defender steps up

Standard Sport understands that while a formal approach has yet to be made to Bayer Leverkusen, the former Liverpool centre-back is one of a number of defensive targets currently under consideration in north London.

Arsenal appreciate Quansah’s versatility and ability to operate either in the centre of defence or at right-back, with manager Mikel Arteta needing a new signing who can do both before the summer transfer window closes on September 1.

First-choice centre-back William Saliba will be sidelined for an extended period of time with an ongoing back injury that was exacerbated at the World Cup but does not require surgery, while Arteta recently admitted that preferred right-back Jurrien Timber was still “weeks away” from returning from a persistent groin issue that has lingered since March.

Ben White - who can cover both positions, along with Cristhian Mosquera - has also only recently returned from a knee ligament injury that curtailed his 25/26 campaign early in May.

Bayer Leverkusen are said to be very reluctant to sell Quansah and would likely demand a fee well in excess of the £30million they paid to sign him from Liverpool last summer, per Sky Sports.

Liverpool were believed to have a buy-back clause for the 23-year-old worth around £60m, though it is now said to have expired.

Arsenal are still monitoring Quansah’s England team-mate Ezri Konsa, who can also play at both centre-back and right-back.

However, there is still understood to be a sizeable gap between what they are currently willing to pay for the player and Aston Villa’s £60m valuation, with Arsenal believed to have seen one approach for Konsa worth around £30m rebuffed already this summer.

Arsenal have also been linked with Atletico Madrid defender Marc Pubill and Barcelona’s Jules Kounde this week, as well as Jacobo Ramon, who played against them for Cesc Fabregas’ Como in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.