Liverpool May Resurrect Quansah Move as Konate Heads for Summer Exit

Liverpool's defensive rebuild could take an intriguing turn this summer, with European football specialist Andy Brassell suggesting the club might rekindle their interest in academy product Jarell Quansah—just months after selling him to Bayer Leverkusen for a deal potentially worth £35m.

The Reds face a mounting injury crisis at centre-back. Giovanni Leoni's season-ending injury has left them dangerously light in the position, with Joe Gomez serving as primary backup to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The situation was exacerbated when Crystal Palace blocked Marc Guehi's move to Anfield on deadline day last summer, with the defender failing his medical.

Liverpool have already moved to address the shortage by securing Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes for £60m, with the Frenchman arriving at the end of the season. Yet Brassell insists more reinforcement is essential.

"They really have to go out and buy a new centre-back from here because, depending on what happens with Van Dijk, they can't have Van Dijk plus Jacquet and Leoni going into next season," Brassell explained on talkSPORT. "They can't do that. It leaves them too thin. So, they need to find someone."

The prospect of Quansah's return intrigues the expert, who highlighted the Bundesliga's track record of developing defenders who later flourish elsewhere. "I wonder if at some point Jarell Quansah maybe comes back. I think that has to be a question as well. We've seen that before with players going out to the Bundesliga. Or do you even look at going way back, look at Dani Carvajal having his year in Leverkusen before going back to Real Madrid and becoming a Real Madrid legend. That's always a possibility, I think."

More immediately pressing, however, is Konate's likely departure. Brassell believes the French centre-back will leave on a free transfer this summer after contract negotiations between player and club have stalled.

The landscape of available elite defenders has shifted dramatically. Guehi has already moved, while Dayot Upamecano has committed his future to Bayern Munich with a new deal. That leaves Konate as the standout option for Europe's biggest clubs—a position that strengthens his hand considerably.

"It feels to me like Konate will go," Brassell said. "He's still recognised as an elite centre-back. I think you're in a position to go and get exactly what you want, really, this summer."

Real Madrid have already registered their interest, with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona also likely to circle. For a player becoming available on a free transfer, the options are plentiful.

"To be him on a free transfer at the moment, the world is your oyster. The European football world is your oyster," Brassell concluded.