Thomas Tuchel’s team sheet at Wembley last Saturday has carried further than the match report. Jarell Quansah, preferred over Trent Alexander-Arnold against Spain, now has Real Madrid watching him.

German outlet BILD, as reported by Goal, says Los Blancos sent scouts to Leverkusen and liked what they saw: Quansah’s age, his versatility between centre-back and right-back, and his comfort in possession. The report describes an early scouting mission rather than an offer, with Real Madrid expected to track him through the season before deciding on a move next summer.

England selection changed the backdrop

The England call-up is what lifts this from a routine scouting file to a news story. On 26 September, England lost 3-2 to Spain at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League, with Quansah starting in a back three and Alexander-Arnold left on the bench.

Tuchel defended the call afterwards.

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“We needed Jarell Quansah’s speed and ability to think as a central defender,” he told reporters.

“He was top class at the World Cup, he was top class in training this week, he was excellent in this game.”

With Marc Guehi stepping into midfield in that shape, Tuchel wanted a mobile centre-back on the right of the three rather than a converted full-back. That meant a seat on the bench for Alexander-Arnold, the Real Madrid man who moved to the Spanish capital after leaving Liverpool.

From Liverpool exit to Bundesliga starter

Quansah’s rise has been quick. He left Liverpool for Leverkusen in July 2025 for an initial £30m, with up to £5m in add-ons, according to Sky Sports, and signed a five-year deal through to 30 June 2030 at the BayArena.

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A season on, he is a regular for a Bundesliga side and, as of last Saturday, England’s first-choice right-sided defender in Tuchel’s back three. The Real Madrid interest is the logical next step for a player who was a reserve at Anfield 14 months ago.

Liverpool’s buy-back is in the picture

Any move for Quansah will have to deal with a buy-back clause written into his Leverkusen deal. Goal, citing BILD, puts the figure at €70m with a window closing on 15 June 2027.

Goal’s report also places Chelsea and Arsenal among the clubs tracking Quansah, with a €65m Arsenal bid said to have been rejected in August.

For now, no bid is on the table. Real Madrid plan to sign at least two new defenders next summer, according to BILD, and Quansah is on the list rather than at the top of it. England’s next fixture is away to Croatia on Saturday 3 October, with Czechia at Wembley the following Tuesday.

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