The most pressing issue at Bayer Leverkusen right now is not on the pitch but in the boardroom, where the club faces a serious fight to keep one of its key defenders. Jarell Quansah, who joined from Liverpool in the summer of 2025 for 35 million euros, is attracting attention from some of Europe's biggest clubs, and holding onto him beyond this season looks increasingly difficult.

According to Sport Bild, Real Madrid have entered the race for the 23-year-old, with coach Jose Mourinho identifying him as a priority target to strengthen their defence ahead of 2027. Liverpool retain a buy-back clause worth 70 million euros, which can be activated on June 15 next year, and reports suggest the Reds are seriously considering using it. Arsenal made a concrete move last summer, offering 65 million euros, only for Leverkusen to reject the bid. Chelsea have also made enquiries. The volume of interest signals that Quansah, now deployed as a right-back under new coach Carles Martinez, has developed into one of the most coveted defenders in European football.

On the pitch, Leverkusen's form has been mixed. A 2-0 win over RB Leipzig on September 20 provided a boost, and the club sits fifth in the Bundesliga table with seven points from four matches. The next test comes away at Mainz 05 on October 10, a game that could help clarify whether Martinez's side can build genuine momentum in the weeks ahead.