Aldridge says Liverpool buy back Quansah as Chelsea, Arsenal eye him

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has urged the Merseyside club to trigger its €70 million (£67.5 million) buy‑back clause and re‑sign 23‑year‑old England defender Jarell Quansah in June 2027, a move he describes as a ‘no‑brainer’ while Chelsea and Arsenal monitor the situation.

From academy prodigy to first‑team regular

Quansah entered Liverpool’s academy at the age of six and progressed through every youth level. He broke into the senior squad in early 2023 and amassed 58 appearances over his first two seasons at Anfield. The versatile defender quickly became a familiar face in the Premier League side.

Despite winning the Premier League title at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, Quansah struggled to secure a regular starting berth under manager Arne Slot. The lack of consistent minutes prompted him to seek opportunities elsewhere, leading to his exit from the Merseyside club.

Bayer Leverkusen moved swiftly, completing a £35 million transfer for the 23‑year‑old England international. The German side offered him the chance to play week in, week out, and he signed a contract that still has four years remaining.

Buy‑back clause and rival interest

Liverpool retain a buy‑back option worth €70 million (£67.5 million) that can be exercised in June 2027. According to Aldridge, the clause makes re‑signing Quansah a “no‑brainer” for the club.

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Real Madrid, Arsenal and Chelsea are all believed to be monitoring the situation, with Chelsea reportedly making initial enquiries about Quansah’s availability. The interest from two Premier League rivals underscores the defender’s rising stock.

In his Liverpool Echo column, former forward John Aldridge wrote, “I’d be looking to bring back Jarell Quansah. There’s a buy‑back option on him and, for me, it’s a no‑brainer.” He added that Liverpool need four quality centre‑halves, especially if Virgil van Dijk departs.

Aldridge noted that Quansah has already earned eight caps for England and could become a viable captaincy option should Van Dijk leave. He suggested the defender could sit alongside Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet as part of a strong defensive quartet.

Quansah himself said leaving his boyhood club was “a really tough decision” but believed it was essential for his development and England selection. He praised the regular playing time in Germany and called a World Cup call‑up “an absolute honour”.