Since the summer transfer window opened, it’s been clear that Liverpool need a new centre-back.
Granted, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk have both put in impressive performances during the 2024-25 season, but with the injury history of the Frenchman and Joe Gomez taken into account, it’s clear that they were a bit light at the back.
And, to make matters worse, Liverpool have also just sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, which leaves the Anfield outfit with just three options at centre-back.
Jarell Quansah in action for England U21 during their UEFA U21 Championship match against Germany.
Photo by Grzegorz Wajda/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
This sale has sparked rumours of Arne Slot chasing a new centre-back this summer, with a couple of names being mentioned.
Tottenham are also interested in signing Liverpool target Giovanni Leoni
With Van Dijk only likely having two years left on his current deal with Liverpool, the Reds are going to need to find a suitable long-term replacement for him as soon as possible.
The Dutchman is still one of the best defenders in the world, but in a couple of years, things could change massively.
Recently, a few centre-backs have been linked with an Anfield switch, but one of the most interesting names to have been mentioned is Giovanni Leoni’s.
The centre-back is just 18 years old and had a breakout season playing for Parma, with his former manager Cristian Chivu hailing him as a “great” player.
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However, as per a new report from talkSPORT, Liverpool are just one of many teams interested in acquiring his services.
The report adds that each of Newcastle, Tottenham and Inter Milan are all ‘showing interest’ in the 6’4 centre-back, with around 10 Premier League clubs enquiring about a potential move.
TalkSPORT do, however, add that Leoni’s ‘preference’ is to stay in Italy at the moment.
Parma defender Giovanni Leoni in action during the Serie A match against Lazio at Stadio Olimpico.
Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images
Liverpool should throw everything they can at Giovanni Leoni
With Konate’s Liverpool future now also up in the air, a centre-back should be Liverpool’s next priority.
As mentioned, the Anfield outfit only have three senior centre-backs among their ranks at the moment as they’ve sold both Nat Phillips and Quansah this summer.
Indeed, Wataru Endo can be used at centre-back if needed, but Slot would be far better off by bringing in a natural centre-back to help cover for Van Dijk and Konate.
And, with Leoni only being 18 years old, there’s still plenty of time for him to develop, and he likely wouldn’t mind sitting on the bench for a season or so until he gets given a first-team opportunity.
Of course, only time will tell what the future holds, but with the Italian being 6’4 and only 18, he seems like the ideal player for Liverpool to target.