Exclusive: Liverpool won’t sell Jarell Quansah for reason everyone has forgotten
Jarell Quansah’s lengthy Liverpool contract and status as a home-grown player makes a transfer to Newcastle United unlikely this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Newcastle have become increasingly fixated on Quansah as the player to refresh their centre-back stocks next season, with the 22-year-old having been named in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad.
After being displaced at right-back by Curtis Jones for Wednesday’s Merseyside Derby amid injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley, Quansah doesn’t appear to be fully in favour with Arne Slot.
However, sources have told Football Insider that Liverpool aren’t likely to cash in on Quansah, with the youngster’s contract – running until 2029 – making him one of few senior defenders without such an issue.
Ibrahima Konate is entering the final year of his current deal at Anfield, with Football Insider revealing on 22 March that Liverpool are no closer to a new agreement, as Virgil van Dijk’s future remains up in the air.
Ex-Manchester United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown also told Football Insider that he sees Van Dijk following Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid this summer, leaving a huge hole for Liverpool to fill.
Quansah unlikely to add to defensive exodus at Liverpool
Quansah is Liverpool’s only first-team centre-back without an imminent contract dispute to resolve, and with Slot unlikely to be keen on losing three in one transfer window, expect him to stay put at Anfield.
Furthermore, with Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid looking signed and sealed, the Reds risk leaving themselves short on the Premier League’s home-grown quota if Quansah follows him to the exit.
Brown told Football Insider on 2 April that Quansah’s intention is to make the move to Newcastle this summer, but Liverpool’s stance on their home-grown talents could force Eddie Howe to look elsewhere.
Newcastle to bolster centre-back stocks despite Quansah blow
Quansah staying put – particularly with both Konate and Van Dijk potentially leaving Anfield this summer – leaves Slot with the potential foundations of Liverpool’s defensive system heading into the long-term.
With Fabian Schar aging despite signing a contract extension and Sven Botman still on the sidelines after surgery, Football Insider revealed on 30 March that Dean Huijsen remains a top target for Newcastle.
Champions League qualification will be vital in their bid to sign the Spaniard, whose Bournemouth contract includes a £50million release clause, and with Liverpool also keen on Huijsen, he and Quansah could be chess pieces as the Magpies look to re-shape their defence.