Liverpool currently have no plans to trigger the buyback clause for Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah, despite a growing injury crisis within their own defensive ranks. The club confirmed this to BBC Sport, even as manager Andoni Iraola acknowledged the team is “very thin” in defensive options.
Liverpool are without both Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet due to injury, forcing Joe Gomez to feature in pre-season before he too suffered a setback. Iraola openly admitted the need for defensive reinforcements, stating the current situation is a “solution that we are trying to find.”
Quansah, who left Liverpool for Leverkusen last year, has a reported £70 million buyback clause – a fee double what the German club paid for him. However, TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey reports that this clause does not become active until 2027, complicating any immediate return.
Instead, Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, who offers versatility by being able to play both centre-back and right-back. They had also explored the possibility of signing John Stones, but the England international has since agreed to a transfer to Inter Milan. Paris Saint-Germain’s Illia Zabarnyi is another player the Reds are monitoring, having been alerted to his availability after a single season in France.
Iraola provided an update on the fitness of Jacquet, stating the club is taking a cautious approach with the new signing after a prolonged period without playing. He anticipates Jacquet will feature in the final match of their U.S. tour, allowing him to gain valuable minutes. The injury to Gomez remains a concern, however, further highlighting the need for defensive depth.
