Liverpool weigh Leoni as Guehi backup

Liverpool weighs Giovanni Leoni as a potential replacement if Marc Guehi deal falls through while Newcastle set a high price for Alexander Isak.

Liverpool eye Leoni as Guehi alternative amid Isak ultimatum

Liverpool's pre season ended with a Wembley defeat as Crystal Palace beat them on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong put the Reds in front in the first half, only for Ismaila Sarr to force a shootout and deny them a win at the end.

Transfer talk around the club has intensified. Florian Plettenberg reported that Liverpool are seriously considering Giovanni Leoni, an 18-year-old defender from Parma, as a possible Guehi alternative if the Palace deal collapses. Leoni has little senior experience but has attracted attention from several top Italian clubs, including Inter Milan, and Parma have four years left on his contract.

On the Isak front, Newcastle United are said to be prepared to accept an offer around £130 million plus add-ons if Liverpool return with a bigger bid. Liverpool previously had a bid of about £110 million rejected, according to Lee Ryder of Chronicle Live, and the situation remains fluid as both sides assess options and timing during the summer window.

Liverpool now faces a choosing moment between chasing a larger, riskier move for a proven centre back and dipping into a younger, less tested option. Leoni represents a long-term project rather than an instant fix, and his path to regular Premier League football would be steeper than Guehi’s well established track record. The decision will reveal how the club weighs upside against the pressure to deliver immediate improvements.

Isak's situation exposes a broader market reality: elite forwards come with price tags that stretch balance sheets and patience. A 130 million pound valuation plus add-ons signals a market where goal scorers are premium assets and timing matters as much as talent. Liverpool supporters will want swift results, but the club must balance ambition with sustainable budgeting and squad depth. The coming weeks will show whether appetite translates into action or if the window sharpens focus on alternative plans.

Highlights

The summer window has momentum and doubts, with decisions now shaping next season.