TA: Arsenal are eyeing Quaanza, with Saliba needing to fill the defensive gap after his injury.

According to The Athletic, Kwaanza left Liverpool in July 2025, but 13 months later became a transfer target for Arsenal.

Sources familiar with the matter say that it wasn't easy for Cua Anza to leave Liverpool after winning the Premier League title with Arne Sloot. All sources interviewed by The Athletic requested anonymity to protect relationships. He grew up at Liverpool and improved rapidly in Klopp's final year in charge, but his progress slowed under Sloot. The Dutchman mostly used him as a substitute when other centre-backs were unavailable or needed rest.

A move to Bayer Leverkusen in Germany would be very attractive to Cua Anza, as it would mean a new challenge and a different environment at a club known for developing young players.

Cua Anza had hoped to revive his career after a season in the Bundesliga, even giving Liverpool the opportunity to activate his €70 million (£59 million; $80 million) buy-back clause. His former club may not think he's worth keeping, but if they were to completely abandon him, there would be no need for that clause.

However, Quaanza clearly did not expect Arsenal to come knocking on his door in such a short time.

Of course, he understands why Arsenal contacted him. With Gabriel Saliba injured, Arsenal need to strengthen their defense, but for a Champions League finalist team, this is still a big deal. Arteta stated last season that the team would "go all out for every trophy" next season.

Kwaansa's experience is unique and diverse, so his transfer was not unexpected. The 23-year-old defender spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at League One side Bristol Rovers before impressing Liverpool in preseason and earning a place in the first team.

He was the captain of Liverpool's U18 team, leading them to the 2021 FA Youth Cup final, but he was rarely considered one of the most outstanding talents in the youth academy. Some people contacted by The Athletic even privately doubted whether he could play for Liverpool's senior team, making his later achievements all the more inspiring.

Cua Anza, who played alongside Virgil van Dijk and occasionally covered for him, showed no stage fright. He was threatening from attacking set pieces, learned to be patient during transitions from defense to attack, and improved his ability to deliver penetrating passes to creative players.

England manager Thomas Tuchel used Cuaanza at right-back three times during the World Cup. Real Madrid's Alexander-Arnold was left out of the squad.

His calm and composed playing style was clearly to Tuchel's liking, and the latter had enough confidence to trust the defender in high-pressure matches and crucial moments.

Cua Anza's strength lies in orchestrating attacks from the backfield; he can deliver forward passes and also choose the simplest and most effective methods. During matches, he rarely appears flustered or agitated, but he also possesses a tough side while maintaining control. His red card in England's 3-2 World Cup victory over Mexico is a stain on his record, but it was an impulsive and uncharacteristic foul, far from normal.

On the field, Cuaanza is calm and composed; off the field, he is also relatively quiet. The Athletic has learned from sources that when he was younger, the England coaching staff began to wonder why he showed almost no emotional fluctuations regardless of whether he won or lost.

In recent years, he has taken on more responsibility and gradually opened up, especially after leaving Liverpool to embark on a new adventure in Germany. Last season at Bayer Leverkusen, he mainly played as the right center-back in a three-man defense and performed excellently.

To see where he is most effective on the field, just look at which areas he regained possession most often last season, and how he won possession from more advanced positions.

His versatility also attracts Arsenal. Arsenal need to strengthen their squad to address the void left by Saliba's long-term back injury, and Cua Anza fits the bill perfectly.

However, it remains to be seen whether his defensive consistency can reach the level of Arsenal's other target, Ezri Konsa. Konsa, also an England international, has been consistently reliable during Aston Villa's recent push for the top of the Premier League. The 28-year-old defender possesses excellent game reading ability, rapid recovery speed, and can create threats from set pieces.

Sources say Aston Villa value Konza at around £60 million ($81 million). Those familiar with Arsenal's position say they are reluctant to pay that much for a defender whose resale value is relatively low, given Konza's younger age.

Cua Ansa has experience playing for top Premier League teams, teams that have to win every week, and he's ready. His characteristics are very attractive, and his potential for further improvement is the biggest incentive.

If Arsenal's plan is to continue building the tallest team in English football history, then it's not surprising that this 1.90-meter-tall defender is on their transfer list.