Arsenal have added Bayer Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah to their shortlist of options as they aim to sign a defender in the summer transfer window, sources have told ESPN.
No direct talks have taken place between the clubs but sources say the north London club have explored the possibility of a deal through intermediaries.
Leverkusen are thought to be reluctant to sell Quansah, however, having only signed the England international from Liverpool last summer in a deal worth £30 million ($40.6m).
It is currently unclear how much Arsenal would be prepared to offer but a difference in valuations could prove a stumbling block, as has been the case in the Gunners’ pursuit of Aston Villa’s defender Ezri Konsa.
Villa value Konsa at around £60m and the Gunners had previously indicated they were only willing to bid around half that price.
Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal are expected to step up their interest in Konsa but it remains to be seen whether a compromise can be reached and sounding out Quansah over a deal is effectively the club looking at alternative options.
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Both Quansah and Konsa were part of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad which secured a third-place finish at this summer’s World Cup.
The two players are versatile and are able to play at right-back or centre-back. Quansah made 44 appearances in his debut season for Leverkusen.
