Arsenal in talks with Bayer Leverkusen for defender Jarell Quansah

Arsenal are in discussions with Bayer Leverkusen over a potential transfer for defender Jarell Quansah as the club seeks to bolster its backline before the summer window closes. The move for the former Liverpool player comes after the Premier League side cooled its interest in Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa due to a significant valuation gap.

The 23-year-old Quansah, who can play both centre-back and right-back, is seen as an attractive alternative following an impressive debut season in Germany. He joined Leverkusen from Liverpool last summer for a fee reported to be around £30 million and made 44 appearances across all competitions, scoring five goals. His performances earned him a place in England's squad for the World Cup, where he helped the team secure a bronze medal.

Arsenal's pursuit is driven by an urgent need for defensive reinforcements. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that first-choice centre-back William Saliba is sidelined for an extended period after aggravating a back injury during the World Cup. Additionally, right-back Jurrien Timber is not yet fully fit, and defender Ben White has only recently returned from a long-term knee injury.