Liverpool are lining up several deals this summer, but with the possibility of turning to the centre-back market, recent reports claim that the Reds have already agreed personal terms for a potential signing.

The defensive line at Anfield is set for some huge changes going into the next campaign under Andoni Iraola, as Ibrahima Konate walked away from the club as a free agent, while Andy Robertson has joined Premier League rivals Tottenham.

Robertson’s departure may have come at the right time after an impressive career with the club, but Konate’s move came as quite the blow, having played all but two Premier League games last season.

Jeremy Jacquet’s arrival should soften the blow somewhat, though it remains to be seen how well he adjusts to life in the Premier League, alongside Giovanni Leoni’s return from injury.

Liverpool‘s focus on the market may be on other positions to start with as a result of that, but centre-back remains a potential area to strengthen in.

With that in mind, a potential return for Jarell Quansah could well be on the cards.

Jarell Quansah Terms Agreed

As Liverpool face the prospect of entering the market for another centre-back, there could be a familiar face back at Anfield in the form of Quansah.

According to the Liverpool Echo, personal terms with the former Reds defender have already been agreed in the possible event of him coming back to Merseyside.

Quansah joined Bayer Leverkusen for £35 million last summer, but Liverpool inserted a buy-back clause in the deal worth in the region of £55 million.

While it’s unclear whether the club will trigger that clause, as it stands, it appears as though the focus will be on strengthening other positions first.

The wide areas are particularly crucial with Yan Diomande being heavily linked as an option Liverpool are interested in signing this summer.

However, depending on assessments made later in the window, Quansah could now return and without a protracted transfer negotiation to go with it.

Quansah’s Previous Season

When Quansah left Liverpool last season, he made it clear that his goal was to play more football and to earn plenty of first-team experience.

Aside from some minor injury problems, the Liverpool academy graduate certainly managed that as he made 44 appearances across all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen.

The centre-back was a regular for the side as they went on to record a sixth-placed finish in the Bundesliga with Europa League qualification secured for next season.

Quansah picked up five goals in that time too, and impressed enough to earn a call-up to the England squad for the 2026 World Cup this summer.

Whether that would be enough to earn a move back to Liverpool remains to be seen, but other clubs may well try their chances at landing the defender instead.

Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to wrap up their third major signing of the summer in the next 72 hours, according to the Athletic.

Having only avoided relegation to the Championship on the final day of the Premier League season, Tottenham chiefs are working to provide Roberto De Zerbi with a stronger squad that he can lead up the standings next term.

Spurs have already completed the signings of two experienced Premier League free agents in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi to strengthen a backline which has conceded 183 top flight goals across the previous three seasons.

But ENIC are nowhere near being done, with potential additions in the goalkeeper position, defence, midfield and attack still to come.

The north Londoners are in talks to sign Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke and Manchester City winger Savinho, while they are also ready to firm up interest in the Brazilian’s City teammate James Trafford should Guglielmo Vicario secure an exit from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the next few months.

Tottenham are hoping to complete one deal as soon as possible though, and it could have ramifications for one of their key players.

Tottenham Want to Complete Van Hecke Transfer by Sunday

via Reuters

One player Tottenham are trying to get a deal over the line for is Van Hecke, who is said to have decided it is only Spurs he wants to join this summer.

Personal terms are already reportedly in place, and now the north Londoners must agree a fee with the Seagulls, who are notoriously difficult to negotiate with.

Tottenham have already had two bids rejected for the Netherlands international with a third planned, according to GIVEMESPORT sources, with a separate report from the BBC claiming that the south coast side value the 26-year-old at £70m, even though he only has one year remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium.

According to the Athletic, Spurs want to complete the deal before the Netherlands’ first World Cup group game against Japan on Sunday night.

Van Hecke Deal Could Have Ramifications for Two Players

via Reuters

Should Van Hecke join Senesi at Spurs, then De Zerbi’s centre-back options would include those two, captain Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Radu Dragusin, Kevin Danso and Luka Vuskovic.

It seems more and more likely that after months of rumours, Romero is likely to be on his way out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

You would think that even if the Argentina international does go, at least one more centre-back exit could still be possible, given Van Hecke, Senesi and Van de Ven would be the most favoured options.

The case of Vuskovic is interesting in particular, with the 19-year-old viewed as one of the best young centre-backs in Europe, which was only highlighted by his impressive loan spell with Hamburg this season.

Should Van Hecke sign, it would be difficult to see Vuskovic getting many minutes, and it would leave Tottenham and the player with a decision to make. Does he fight for his place with limited game time, or do they sanction another exit either on loan or permanently?

Arsenal are said to be interested in snapping up a Serie A midfielder this summer as they prepare to mount a Premier League title defence. Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta have their work cut out this summer, given the precision that will be required to improve this Gunners side.

While some signings might be forced by fringe players who are offered starting roles elsewhere, it’s not immediately clear which positions need strengthening, given Arsenal have an incredibly strong squad with depth aplenty.

The striker and left wing roles are likely to be addressed, and a midfielder could also be added in anticipation of an exit there ahead of next season.

Serie A midfielder comes into focus

It has been a quiet summer so far for Arsenal, who don’t need to be rushing into the market, given they are Premier League champions and came within a whisker of the Champions League title. Fine-tuning is a precision art, and not one achieved with a scattered approach, and so it should come as no surprise that there have been few credible transfer links this summer.

There is some chatter, though, and reports in Italy suggest AS Roma star Manu Koné could be of interest to the Gunners when it comes to midfield options. According to Corriere della Sera, Arsenal have made early moves for the French midfielder, but no bid has yet been made.

What to expect from Koné

Koné, described as one of the “most exciting midfielders in Serie A”, is very much an out-and-out midfielder, operating as a box-to-box midfielder for the most part, though he can play in a deeper role if needed. It is the latter ability that might make him attractive to Arsenal, who are likely considering replacing Christian Norgaard.

Kone is the type of player who can carry the ball and drive a team up the pitch, which is something Arteta may well be looking for, given his side struggled in transition towards the back-end of the season.

The midfielder is under a long-term deal in the Italian capital, though, and Arsenal will likely have to pay at least £43million to land his signature, and that could increase if he impresses at the World Cup. Fortunately for the Gunners, they will have the capacity to spend significant money this summer, providing they shift a couple of fringe players.

Arsenal have become a profit machine during this successful period, and their new-found revenues are allowing them to continue pushing on with large spending bills, unlike many of their rivals who find themselves hamstrung by FFP rules.