Real Madrid eye England defender Jarell Quansah before January

Real Madrid have confirmed they are monitoring England international Jarell Quansah as the January transfer window draws near, hoping to plug a glaring shortage in central defence after an active summer that failed to deliver a new centre‑back.

Why the Spaniards need a new defender

The club’s summer activity focused heavily on defensive reinforcements, yet no centre‑back was secured, leaving depth at the heart of the backline a persistent concern. With the mid‑season window only weeks away, the Spanish giants are keen to rectify that oversight before the campaign intensifies.

Quansah fits the profile

Quansah, a 23‑year‑old former Liverpool prospect, joined Bayer Leverkusen last summer for €35 million and has impressed in the Bundesliga, combining physicality, aerial dominance and composure on the ball. Standing 1.90 m tall, he can also operate as a right‑back and would complement Dean Huijsen as a partner in central defence.

Arsenal and Chelsea lead race for France defender Jules Kounde

His long‑term contract with Leverkusen means the German club is expected to command a substantial fee, especially after Chelsea and Arsenal were turned down despite being ready to pay around €65 million. Real Madrid are reportedly relying on the “Jude Bellingham factor”, noting the England midfielder’s close friendship with Quansah as a possible influence on the move.

SportBILD, cited by Diario SPORT, listed Real Madrid among the clubs keeping close tabs on Quansah’s development, confirming the Spanish side’s genuine interest. The defender’s ability to play out from the back aligns with Los Blancos’ tactical preferences, offering a long‑term solution given his youth and experience.

While the exact financial terms remain uncertain, the interest underscores Real Madrid’s proactive approach to squad building ahead of the January window. Should a deal materialise, it would address a key defensive weakness and potentially secure a player who could serve the club for many seasons.