Arsenal open talks with Bayer Leverkusen over deal for Jarell Quansah | Arsenal

Arsenal have opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a transfer for Jarell Quansah as they intensify efforts to herald cowl for William Saliba and Jurriën Timber.

The England defender, who left Liverpool final summer season for an preliminary £30m and was a part of Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, has been recognized as a super substitute for the France and Netherlands defenders, who will miss the beginning of the brand new season resulting from harm. Whereas Quansah’s most popular place is in central defence, he was additionally deployed at right-back by Tuchel on the World Cup and was despatched off in the last-16 victory over Mexico.

It’s understood that Leverkusen are reluctant to promote the Warrington-born 23-year-old, who signed a five-year deal when he left Anfield final July, and would need at the very least €50m (£43m). Arsenal – who noticed a bid of £30m for Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa rejected earlier within the window – should not thought to wish to pay that a lot however now may check the German membership’s resolve by submitting the same supply. Liverpool had a €70m buyback possibility on Quansah however that has now expired.

Arsenal are nonetheless believed to be inquisitive about Konsa, who additionally crammed in at right-back for England in the course of the World Cup however is best often known as a central defender. Villa worth the 28-year-old at £60m.

Mikel Arteta mentioned this week that Saliba’s again harm would take “a while to heal” and he was uncertain about when he can be accessible once more. Arsenal even have issues over Timber, who pulled out of the Netherlands squad on the eve of the World Cup after failing to get better from a persistent groin harm that pressured him to overlook a lot of the run‑in final season.

“Jurriën is progressing rather well,” Arteta mentioned after Arsenal’s pleasant defeat by Borussia ­Dortmund final Sunday. “He’s on the pitch, he’s doing rather a lot proper now, however it’s nonetheless weeks away. I can not inform you how a lot.”

Arsenal would nonetheless wish to signal a brand new attacker earlier than the tip of the window and will permit Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus to depart so as to liberate extra funds. ­Galatasaray have provided £38m for Martinelli, though the Brazil ­ahead has turned down a transfer to Turkey. Napoli have proven an ­curiosity in Jesus.

Ethan Nwaneri is also bought, with Milan, Fulham, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund amongst those that have been linked with the 19-year-old.

The way forward for Myles Lewis-Skelly is unclear after he was provided to Chelsea and Manchester United this week. Arteta refused to handle the rumours after he scored within the pleasant towards Como – managed by Cesc Fábregas – on Wednesday.

“I’m not going to speak about hypothesis,” he mentioned. “If there’s hypothesis about our gamers, it’s a very good signal. Which means our gamers appeal to consideration and are doing a very good job.”