Fabrizio Romano: Newcastle now eyeing move to sign ‘absolute monster’ alongside Huijsen

As Newcastle United prepare to build on their Carabao Cup success, the club’s recruitment team has identified Liverpool’s promising center-back Jarrell Quansah as a potential solution to their defensive needs.

The 22-year-old England international has caught the attention of Eddie Howe’s scouting network, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirming the Magpies’ serious interest in securing the young defender’s services this summer.

Newcastle’s pursuit of defensive reinforcements comes at a critical juncture for the club. While Fabian Schär and Dan Burn continue to deliver reliable performances, both defenders have entered their thirties, prompting the need for long-term planning.

The situation has become more pressing with Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles spending significant portions of the season sidelined with knee injuries, exposing a lack of depth in central defense.

Quansah’s emergence as a target reflects Newcastle’s strategy of blending youthful potential with Premier League experience.

The Liverpool academy product has shown glimpses of his considerable talent this season, making 23 appearances across all competitions. However, with Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez ahead of him in Jürgen Klopp’s pecking order, Quansah faces limited opportunities for regular first-team football at Anfield.

His statistical output – averaging 0.8 tackles, 0.6 interceptions, and 2.1 clearances per game – demonstrates a well-rounded defensive skillset that could flourish with more consistent playing time.

Quansah’s inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad, albeit without making an appearance, underscores his potential at international level. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the defender may view a move to St James’ Park as an opportunity to secure the regular minutes needed to cement his place in the national team setup.

Newcastle’s interest forms part of a broader defensive recruitment strategy that also includes Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, though the £50 million release clause for the Dutchman and anticipated competition for his signature make Quansah a more realistic target.

The Magpies’ newfound status as trophy winners and their potential European qualification could prove decisive in convincing Quansah that Tyneside represents the ideal environment for his development.

While formal discussions with Liverpool or the player’s representatives have yet to commence, sources indicate Newcastle plan to accelerate their pursuit in the coming weeks.

The potential transfer would align with the club’s model of identifying talented English players before their value peaks, as demonstrated by previous acquisitions of Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento.

For Quansah, the move could offer the perfect platform to establish himself as a Premier League regular, while for Newcastle, it represents an opportunity to secure one of England’s most promising defensive talents.

As the summer window approaches, this developing story could become one of the more intriguing sagas of the transfer period, with both clubs needing to weigh their respective ambitions against the player’s career trajectory.