Arsenal Offer €65m for Jarell Quansah, But Bayer Leverkusen Say No

Arsenal have made a significant move for Jarell Quansah, but Bayer Leverkusen have once again made their position clear: the English defender is not for sale.

According to Sky Sport Germany, Arsenal have submitted a verbal offer worth €60 million plus €5 million in bonuses for the 23-year-old centre-back. Leverkusen rejected the proposal and immediately reiterated that Quansah is unavailable for transfer.

The size of Arsenal's offer underlines just how seriously Mikel Arteta wants the player.

Quansah has become an attractive option because of his versatility. Primarily a centre-back, he can also operate at right-back, giving Arsenal another player capable of covering multiple positions in the defensive line. That profile is particularly valuable to Arteta, who likes defenders capable of covering more than one position. Arsenal have already similarly used Piero Hincapié after signing him from Leverkusen, with the Ecuadorian mainly operating at left-back while also providing an option at centre-back. Quansah could offer the same flexibility on the right.

But Leverkusen have their own reasons for refusing to negotiate.

Quansah is considered a key piece of the defensive rebuild under Carles Martínez. The club has already brought in Miguel Gutiérrez and Facundo Medina, while continuing to search for another right-back. Quansah's ability to play centrally and on the flank gives Martínez the flexibility to switch between a back three and a back four without completely changing his personnel.

Take him out of that equation, and Leverkusen would suddenly have another major hole to fill. That is why €65 million, despite being a substantial offer, has not been enough.

There is also an important contractual angle. Previous reports suggested Liverpool retained a route to bring Quansah back, but the immediate clause is no longer relevant. Leverkusen therefore have significant control over the defender's future and can decide whether keeping him is worth more than the financial return of a sale.

For Arsenal, the rejection means they will have to decide whether to push again.

The Gunners' interest is understandable, particularly with injuries affecting their defensive options. Quansah's ability to cover both centre-back and right-back could offer Arteta exactly the kind of flexibility he values.

But Leverkusen have already invested heavily in reshaping their defence this summer.

Selling Quansah now would mean potentially having to find another starting centre-back and another right-back after already bringing in Gutiérrez and Medina. In other words, accepting Arsenal's offer could force Bayer into rebuilding the same area of the squad all over again.

So far, the club have chosen stability over another major transfer fee.

Arsenal have shown how much they want Quansah. Bayer have shown how much they want to keep him.