Liverpool centre-back Jarell Quansah has reportedly drawn interest from Premier League side Nottingham Forest, with a fee in the region of £29m thought to be enough to secure his services.
Reds boss Arne Slot has performed excellently in the Anfield dugout, winning the league in his first season in charge, but he may have to prepare for a busy transfer window ahead of the club's 2025-26 title defence.
There are significant question marks about a number of players in the squad, with the likes of Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz all being linked with moves away.
In defence, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract in the summer, while centre-backs Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez reportedly have suitors.
TEAMtalk claim that Slot may also lose centre-back Quansah, who is said to be valued at £29.7m, to potential Champions League rivals Nottingham Forest.
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Why Slot faces a defensive crisis
Quansah was selected to start against Ipswich Town in August 2024 in Slot's first game as boss, but the Englishman was brought off at half time for Konate.
The 22-year-old has started just two top-flight matches since, and he has struggled in his limited minutes under the Dutchman, with rumours of a transfer away ramping up.
However, it remains to be seen if Liverpool can afford to sanction his exit given the futures of so many other defenders will come into question this summer.
Konate will have just a year remaining on his deal at the end of the season and Real Madrid have been touted as an interested party.
Elsewhere, Gomez is widely expected to leave Anfield and his versatility as a backup centre-back or a makeshift full-back will likely need to be replaced.
Left-back Andrew Robertson has also been linked with an exit, with the likes of Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez said to be of interest to the Reds.
Considering the level of doubt regarding several players in the backline, as well as the fact that Liverpool will look to strengthen up front, it would not be surprising if Quansah was kept around in order to maintain a degree of continuity.
Lewis Nolan
