According to the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool can re-sign Quansah next summer for approximately £56 million, but the team's central defense currently has no shortage of players.
Quansah has attracted interest from Arsenal and Real Madrid. An agreement is already in place should Liverpool wish to re-sign the defender from Bayer Leverkusen.
When Liverpool allowed Quansah to join Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2024, conditions were attached to the deal. Both parties agreed on a £35 million fee, giving the Warrington-born defender an opportunity to gain experience at the club that won the Bundesliga title two years prior, while also leaving room for his return.
The prospect of regular Champions League football persuaded Quansah. At Anfield, Arne Slot preferred a center-back pairing of Konaté and Van Dijk, and Quansah believed he would get more consistent playing time at the BayArena.
When Liverpool sold the academy player, a buy-back clause was included in the contract, and a pre-contract agreement was negotiated with the player in advance.
This means that if Quansah returns, the process would be relatively straightforward. Liverpool would only need to pay the agreed-upon fee, avoiding complex and lengthy negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen and without worrying about the player's wage demands exceeding what the Reds can afford.
Liverpool has always believed that Quansah has the potential to eventually become a regular for the England national team. He featured in the World Cup and continues to develop during the current Nations League international break.
The player, who can play at right-back or center-back, admitted in April that the transfer decision was relatively straightforward because Bayer Leverkusen offered him consistent first-team opportunities. Quansah said: "To be honest, I wouldn't say it was the hardest decision because I just want to play. I feel like I can play at the highest level, and the Bundesliga is a top league, and playing in the Champions League, playing high-level games. Sometimes you just go with your gut feeling. To be honest, you can't overthink it too much, and you can't listen to too many people, because after listening to a few opinions, you might be persuaded."
According to the agreement, Liverpool can activate the buy-back clause embedded in the deal until the summer of 2027, with the fee decreasing each year.
The 23-year-old Quansah is gradually proving the assessment of Liverpool's academy coaching staff correct: he is expected to become an England star. Discussions have already begun about the possibility of him returning to Liverpool next summer for a relatively reasonable £56 million.
The 35-year-old Van Dijk is in the final year of his contract, and contract renewal negotiations have not yet begun. In this situation, Quansah's return is at least a topic worth considering.
Quansah started at right-back in England's 7-0 victory over Croatia on Saturday. It is understandable if decision-makers at Anfield smiled knowingly: this familiar England international, who knows the club inside out, could return at the end of the season for just over £50 million.
Liverpool loaned Ronald Araujo in August, and converting the loan agreement with Barcelona into a permanent transfer would cost £47 million. For the 27-year-old Uruguayan international, this is also considered a relatively good deal.
Araujo's future is still uncertain, but he is already making an impact. He has played at right-back under Slot, helping the team achieve three consecutive clean sheets for the first time since the start of the 2024/25 season.
If the price is similar, Quansah would be a younger center-back option who can also cover at right-back when needed. Arsenal was once interested in him, and Real Madrid now also appears to be monitoring him. This versatile player would clearly have options if he decides to leave Bayer Leverkusen.
But for now, Liverpool's central defensive setup appears quite stable. Jaché's performances for the French senior national team have even impressed Zidane, and Leny Yoro is also close to returning. The club believes that both young defenders have the potential to become top-class players.
Combined with the progress of Ndukauba and Ndiaye, Liverpool still has many promising young center-backs. Ndukauba is currently on loan at Levante and is now eligible to apply for a UK work permit. The team also has Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, and Araujo, who has made a strong start to his loan spell.
Quansah could still be a card in Liverpool's hand next summer, but for now, the team's central defense looks to be in its most stable state for quite some time.
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