Liverpool eye Parma defender Leoni

Liverpool weigh a move for Giovanni Leoni as part of a broader centre-back rebuild, with continued interest in Marc Guehi.

Liverpool eye Parma defender Leoni as centre-back plan grows

Liverpool are weighing a bid for Giovanni Leoni, an 18-year-old Parma centre-back who broke into Serie A last season and has earned a call-up to Italy's under-21 squad. Reports in Italy have pegged a price around €30 million plus bonuses, though there has been no direct contact between the clubs. Inter Milan are long seen as favourites to sign Leoni should he move, which would complicate Liverpool's plan to add a long-term defensive option.

Liverpool want to sign at least one centre-back before the September 1 deadline. With Jarell Quansah on loan to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez sidelined by an Achilles injury, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate remain the only senior options after a recent Community Shield defeat. Liverpool also continue to be linked with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, whose contract situation at Palace adds another layer to the bid talks while Palace chairman Steve Parish has indicated Guehi could depart if a suitable offer arrives.

This move fits a trend of clubs building from the academy up, valuing speed and ball-playing ability in modern centre-backs. Yet the price tag for Leoni and competition from Inter test Liverpool's nerve and budgeting discipline, especially with Konate's contract status and Guehi's availability.

Highlights

The window will show how Liverpool balances youth potential with immediate reliability.