It is shaping up to be a dramatic end to the summer transfer window. The interruption of the 2026 World Cup has forced many clubs to leave their business late and that includes Manchester United.
The Red Devils initially got off to a rapid start, welcoming Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Leeds United goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Since then, however, things have significantly slowed – leaving INEOS to wrap their business up in the final two weeks of the summer window.
This has seen several names enter their radar, including shock target Jarell Quansah. The former Liverpool man could be making a return to the Premier League just one year after he swapped Anfield for Bayer Leverkusen.
It initially looked like Arsenal could be alone in the race after opening talks to sign the centre-back, but Man United are now threatening to steal the headlines.
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The shock race to sign Jarell Quansah |
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Arsenal |
Arsenal have been after a centre-back who can also play right-back for a few weeks now. It looked like their main target was Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, but his hefty £60m price-tag has since seen them look elsewhere and towards Quansah. The defender has already held talks with Mikel Arteta and certainly ticks the box for versatility in the absence of Jurrien Timber and William Saliba. |
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Manchester United |
Man United’s presence is a slightly more interesting one. Their focus has been on midfielders and left-backs in recent months, but the opportunity to sign Quansah may be too good to pass up. The England international would join a select few players to play for both United and Liverpool in a shock move. As far as Harry Maguire replacements go, he would be an excellent candidate. |
The Red Devils look to be shifting their focus towards Quansah in hopes of landing another young defender. Having already welcomed Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro in recent years, adding the young Englishman would almost complete their centre-back options for years to come.
With Maguire in the twilight years of his career, Quansah wouldn’t be waiting around for game time at Old Trafford, either. The same can’t be said for Arsenal, where he would instantly be third or fourth choice behind Gabriel, Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera.
The Liverpool graduate has a lot to think about, with offers on the table this month.
As reported by Football Transfers, Man United have now started contract talks to sign Quansah despite making no approach yet to Bayer Leverkusen to begin negotiations.
Talks are underway and the defender must now take his pick between Arsenal and the Red Devils. Perhaps much to the relief of those at Anfield, however, a move to North London is currently Quansah’s preference.
With Konsa also on Arsenal’s shortlist, Man United wil be waiting in the wings to continue their pursuit of the 23-year-old if he fails to complete a move to the Emirates.
It wasn’t so long ago that Quansah found himself at the centre of Arne Slot’s praise, before the former Liverpool man shipped him off to Leverkusen. Now, he could be coming back to haunt his old club at the home of their biggest rivals.
“In the last few times he had to play for us it was in a position he is not completely used to as right full-back. But in my opinion, he has the quality to play in that position because he is strong, fast, very comfortable with the ball and it gives us an extra quality if we play him.”
A new Premier League season is on the horizon and so may be the return of Quansah after just one season away.
