Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah is reportedly attracting interest from a Premier League club ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 22-year-old centre-back broke into Liverpool's first team under former boss Jurgen Klopp last season, making his debut in August 2023, and he has since played 55 times across all competitions.
After making 33 appearances last season, Quansah has struggled for regular game time under new head coach Arne Slot this term, starting only 11 of his 22 games, including just two Premier League starts.
Quansah was handed his first start in over a month in Liverpool's EFL Cup final defeat to Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium prior to the international break and operated at right-back in the absence of the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The England Under-21 international, who was called up to Thomas Tuchel's senior Three Lions squad earlier this month, still has just over four years remaining on his contract at Anfield, but speculation over a possible transfer in the summer has begun to surface.
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Newcastle readying £30m bid for Liverpool's Quansah?
According to The Times, Liverpool has emerged as a potential target for Newcastle this summer as they look to build on their EFL Cup success.
The Magpies are said to believe that a £30m bid plus add-ons may tempt Liverpool into a sale, although the Reds currently have a higher valuation of the defender which they expressed during negotiations last summer.
Quansah currently finds himself behind captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the pecking order, while Joe Gomez is another centre-back option at Liverpool, but he has been hampered with injuries.
Meanwhile, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Newcastle are yet to make contact with Liverpool over a deal to sign Quansah, but he has been added to their centre-back shortlist, which also includes Bournemouth's in-demand teenager Dean Huijsen, who is also wanted by Liverpool.
Newcastle have been quiet in the last two transfer windows as they have prioritised balancing their books in a bid to avoid breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules.
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Newcastle targeting new centre-back this summer
However, Eddie Howe's side are expected to be active in the forthcoming window and the addition of a right-sided centre-back is said to be a key area they wish to strengthen.
Quansah is one name who is understood to have 'significant support' among senior figures within St James' Park, but whether he wishes to swap Liverpool for Newcastle remains to be seen.
Newcastle have been light in the centre-back department throughout this season; both Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman have been recovering from ACL injuries, while Lloyd Kelly was sold to Juventus in January.
Fabian Schar and Dan Burn have therefore featured regularly in the heart of defence, while Howe has also called upon full-back Emil Krafth to start at centre-back in a few games this term.
Newcastle's chances of signing their desired targets, including Quansah, will be boosted if they qualify for next season's Champions League; they currently sit sixth in the Premier League table and just two points behind the top four with a game in hand.
Oliver Thomas
