The German club has declared the versatile defender unsellable, snubbing talk of an Anfield return as Carles Martínez prepares to repurpose the England international in a new-look defensive system.
According to KSTA, Jarell Quansah is expected to remain at Bayer Leverkusen this season, despite renewed speculation over a possible return to Liverpool.
The 23-year-old defender is due back in training with Leverkusen on Tuesday after England’s World Cup campaign, with the club viewing him as an important part of their plans for the upcoming season. While there has been interest in Quansah and talk of Liverpool potentially considering their buy-back option, Bayer are currently treating the centre-back as effectively unsellable.
Quansah joined Leverkusen from Liverpool last summer and quickly established himself as one of the club’s most consistent performers. He was primarily deployed on the right side of a back three, where his pace, physicality and ability to defend large spaces made him an important component of the team.
His role could look different under new head coach Carles Martínez.
The new system does not feature the same right-sided centre-back position that Quansah occupied last season, meaning Leverkusen are now considering using him more frequently as a right-back. The Englishman still sees himself primarily as a centre-back, but his versatility could prove particularly valuable as the club adapts to Martínez's tactical approach.
Quansah also demonstrated that flexibility at the World Cup. Although he did not feature against Argentina in the semi-final, he was used as a right-back under England manager Thomas Tuchel, giving Leverkusen another indication that he can operate effectively on the flank when required.
That does not mean Bayer have abandoned their search for a specialist right-back. The club are still looking to strengthen that position during the transfer window, but Quansah's ability to provide cover gives Martínez an additional option within the squad.
Most importantly, Leverkusen have no current intention of selling him.
Liverpool's situation had fuelled speculation over a potential return to Anfield. When Quansah moved to Germany, his former club reportedly secured a buy-back option worth around €80 million. With Liverpool experiencing significant injury problems in defence, rumours emerged that they could consider bringing the England international back.
However, according to KSTA, that clause expired before July. Liverpool therefore no longer has the same mechanism available to automatically bring Quansah back, meaning any potential return would now require a separate agreement with Leverkusen.
For Bayer, there is little reason to entertain that possibility.
Quansah remains under contract and is viewed internally as a key part of the squad. His ability to play both centrally and on the right could become even more important as Martínez implements his system and Leverkusen reshapes their defensive structure.
A major offer could eventually alter the picture, but for now the message from Leverkusen is clear: Quansah is staying. After just one season in Germany, the defender appears set to continue his development at the BayArena rather than return to Liverpool.
The challenge now will be adapting to a new tactical role while proving that the qualities that made him one of Leverkusen's most reliable defenders can translate into Martínez's system.
