When Jarell Quansah left the Premier League champions in July 2025, he could hardly have imagined their successors would be knocking on his door just 13 months later.The decision to exit Liverpool on the back of a title under Arne Slot was difficult for the centre-half, according to those with knowledge of the situation, who, like all of those spoken to for this article, asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships. He had been at the club since he was a young boy and progressed rapidly in Jurgen Klopp’s final year in charge before losing momentum under Slot. The Dutchman used him largely as cover when other favoured centre-backs were unavailable or needed a rest.A move to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany was appealing because it represented a new challenge, in a different environment and at a club renowned for giving young players a platform.Quansah hoped a season in the Bundesliga would reignite his career, perhaps even putting him in a position where Liverpool might activate their €70million (£59m; $80m) buy-back clause. His former club may not have rated him highly enough to keep him around, but if they had written off Quansah entirely, there would have been little reason to include the clause.Attracting interest from the 2025-26 title winners, Arsenal, would not have been in his immediate thoughts, though. Not so soon, anyway.Granted, he will know why they are calling. Cover is needed for the injured William Saliba, but it will still feel like a big deal as the Champions League finalists look to go a step further next season and, according to manager Mikel Arteta, “attack every trophy” with vigour.William Saliba goes down injured against Spain at the World Cup (Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)Perhaps a move for Quansah should come as no surprise, given that the 23-year-old’s development story is varied and unique. He had spent the back end of the 2022-23 season on loan at League One side Bristol Rovers before impressing during the following pre-season at Liverpool and then breaking into the first team.