Bullet dodged? – £35m move close as Newcastle ‘target’ looks set to sign elsewhere

The summer transfer window often feels like a high-stakes game of chess, where every potential move carries risk and reward. For Newcastle United, one particular piece appears to be sliding off the board—and surprisingly, it might be for the best.

Reports now indicate Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah is Germany-bound, with Bayer Leverkusen closing in on a £35 million deal for the young defender.

While Newcastle had previously explored signing the 21-year-old, his imminent departure to the Bundesliga could represent a bullet dodged rather than an opportunity missed.

Newcastle’s recruitment strategy this summer has consistently prioritized proven Premier League talent. From Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi to Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga and Brighton’s João Pedro, Eddie Howe clearly values players who require no adaptation period to English football.

Quansah fit this profile in theory—a homegrown defender with top-flight experience—but his actual performances painted a more complicated picture.

Despite showing flashes of potential under Jürgen Klopp last season, the England U21 international struggled for consistency under new Liverpool manager Arne Slot, ultimately falling behind in the pecking order at Anfield.

The proposed £35 million fee raises immediate questions about value. Compare Quansah to Newcastle’s other defensive targets—Guehi, a seasoned Premier League performer and England regular, or Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi, who excelled under Andoni Iraola last term—and the disparity in quality becomes apparent.

While Quansah may develop into a fine player, spending such a sum on a project defender would have been a gamble Newcastle couldn’t afford, especially with Financial Fair Play regulations looming over every decision.

This isn’t to say Quansah lacks promise. Leverkusen’s interest, driven by newly appointed manager Erik ten Hag, suggests the defender could thrive in a less pressurized environment.

The Bundesliga’s emphasis on tactical development might suit his skillset better than the relentless demands of the Premier League. For Newcastle, however, the priority must be securing defenders who can elevate their backline immediately.

With Fabian Schär and Sven Botman both approaching their late 20s, the Magpies need ready-made starters—not prospects who may or may not fulfill their potential.

The Quansah saga also highlights the dangers of reactive recruitment. Last month, Liverpool reportedly offered the defender as part of a deal for Anthony Gordon—a move Newcastle wisely paused.

While swapping an established attacker for an unproven defender would have been questionable, it at least made some financial sense given the club’s PSR concerns. Paying £35 million outright, however, would have been harder to justify.

As Leverkusen finalize the transfer, Newcastle can now focus on more impactful targets. Guehi remains the dream signing, though Liverpool’s rival interest complicates matters.

Zabarnyi represents another intriguing option, while younger talents like Sporting’s Ousmane Diomandé offer higher ceilings than Quansah at similar price points.

The key for Newcastle’s recruitment team is avoiding the trap of signing players simply because they’re available—a lesson they seem to have learned here.

In the end, Quansah’s move to Germany may benefit all parties. The defender gets a fresh start under a manager who values youth development, Liverpool secures a respectable fee for a squad player, and Newcastle avoids an expensive experiment. For a club with Champions League aspirations, that’s not a bad outcome at all.