Newcastle 'eye £30m move for Liverpool star this summer'

Newcastle have maintained their interested in a Liverpool star, and are looking to submit a £30million bid for him this summer, according to a report.

In 2024, the Magpies had an approach rejected for the Reds' star man, but have not given up, as they look to go from strength to strength after winning the EFL Cup against Liverpool this month.

Newcastle are well-positioned to fight for Champions League qualification, currently sitting sixth in the Premier League table, two points off Chelsea in fourth - but Eddie Howe's side will need more star power if they are to compete against Europe's elite.

That is why Newcastle's representatives plan to circle back to Merseyside to inquire about Jarell Quansah for the second time in the past year.

The club are keen to find a right-sided centre half as a long-term replacement for the ageing Fabian Schar, who turns 34 at the end of this year.

Newcastle are hopeful that a £30m bid plus add-ons may tempt Liverpool into playing ball, but the Reds are believed to have a higher valuation of Quansah, according to The Times.

Quansah has four years left on his contract at Liverpool, having enjoyed a stellar breakthrough campaign last year, playing 33 times for the first team despite only making his debut in late August.

Although the 22-year-old was included in Thomas Tuchel's inaugural England squad for the Three Lions' World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, he has struggled to earn minutes in Arne Slot's debut season at Liverpool.

Quansah looked to be going from strength to strength after starring in pre-season and starting the first league game of this term, away at Ipswich.

But he was hooked at half-time at Portman Road and has struggled for league minutes since, starting just two games and tallying 286 minutes.

Quansah's struggles under Slot this season may have slightly decreased his transfer value, which could be another reason why Newcastle are optimistic about their chances of securing him for £30m.

Quansah joined Liverpool through their youth set-up in 2008 and has made 55 appearances since making his senior debut at the club in August 2023.

At 22 years old, he fits Newcastle's mould of transfer targets under Howe; all of the club's main signings under their manager have been 25 or younger.