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Arsenal have opened talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a move for Jarell Quansah as they intensify efforts to bring in cover for William Saliba and Jurriën Timber.

The England defender, who left Liverpool last summer for an initial £30m and was part of Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad, has been identified as an ideal replacement for the France and Netherlands defenders who will both miss the start of the new season due to injury. While Quansah’s preferred position is in central defence, he was also deployed at right back by Tuchel at the World Cup and was sent off in the last-16 victory over Mexico.

It is understood that Leverkusen are reluctant to sell for the 23-year-old who signed a five-year deal when he left Anfield last July and would want at least €50m (£43m). Arsenal – who saw a bid of £30m for Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa rejected earlier in the window – are not thought to want to pay that much but now could test the German club’s resolve by submitting a similar offer. Liverpool had a €70m buyback option on Quansah but that has now expired.

Arsenal are still believed to be interested in Konsa, who also filled in at right-back for England during the World Cup but is better known as a central defender. Villa value the 28-year-old at £60m.

Mikel Arteta admitted this week that Saliba’s back injury will take “some time to heal” and he is unsure about when he will be available again. Arsenal also have concerns over Timber, who pulled out of the Netherlands squad on the eve of the World Cup after failing to recover from a persistent groin injury that forced him to miss most of the run‑in last season.

“Jurriën is progressing really well,” Arteta said after Arsenal’s friendly defeat to Borussia Dortmund last weekend. “He’s on the pitch, he’s doing quite a lot right now, but it’s still weeks away. I cannot tell you how much.”

Arsenal would still like to sign a new attacker before the end of the window and could allow Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus to depart in order to free up more funds. Galatasaray have offered £38m for Martinelli, although the Brazil forward is not thought to be keen on a move to Turkey. Napoli have shown an interest in Jesus.

Ethan Nwaneri could also be sold, with Milan, Fulham, Red Bull Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund among those who have been linked with the 19-year-old.

The future of Myles Lewis-Skelly is unclear after he was offered to Chelsea and Manchester United this week. Arteta refused to address the rumours after he scored in the friendly against Como – managed by Cesc Fábregas – on Wednesday.
“I’m not going to talk about speculation,” he said. “If there is speculation about our players, it’s a good sign. That means our players attract attention and are doing a good job.”