Real Madrid interest threatens Liverpool deal for homegrown defender | OneFootball

Liverpool are making big changes to their backline.

At the end of this season they may well be saying goodbye to Virgil van Dijk - as well as Joe Gomez. The process of replenishing the centre-back stocks has been ongoing over the last year or so.

Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet are the headline arrivals - but others including Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye have also arrived.

It looks as though Liverpool’s future in defence looks relatively assured - and that’s before mentioning a buyback option for Jarell Quansah.

Liverpool have got Quansah clause

Bringing the homegrown defender back to Anfield would be the jewel in the crown for the 2024/25 Premier League champions.

Quansah, 23, joined Bayer Leverkusen in summer 2025 for around £30m - with Liverpool retaining the right to sign him in 2027.

Personal terms won’t be an issue with the outline of a deal already in place per various reports.

The only issue is that Quansah has gone from strength to strength in Leverkusen colours - establishing himself in the England setup and attracting attention from other teams.

Real Madrid want Quansah deal

Arsenal were close to signing the centre-back cum right-back in summer and now it’s being claimed in Germany that Real Madrid have set their sights on Quansah for next summer.

“As reported by SPORT BILD, Real Madrid are showing great interest in Quansah, who joined Bayer Leverkusen from Liverpool for a record transfer fee of €35 million after winning the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship,” a report reads.

“Quansah signed a contract until 2030 and, while playing for Leverkusen, became England’s 1297th full international.

“Jude Bellingham (23) plays for Real Madrid – he is a close friend of Quansah’s on the national team.

“The Spanish club are scouting Bayer’s defensive star very closely. The reason: Real Madrid will likely need at least two new defenders next summer.”

Will Madrid frustrate Liverpool again?

Madrid have already pinched Ibrahima Konate and of course Trent Alexander-Arnold from the Reds in recent seasons.

With a deal lined up for Quansah next summer the fear will now be that Jose Mourinho’s side frustrate Liverpool in yet another defender move.