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Liverpool transfer news as Parma wonderkid admired and $68M Castello Lukeba stance emerges

It is going to take a long time for Liverpool to come to terms with the loss of Diogo Jota. That process is only just at the beginning, and it is far from completion.

This weekend, though, the Reds will return to action for the first time since the passing of Jota and his brother, Andre Silva, on what promises to be an emotional occasion. That will mark the first step back towards some sort of normality, though it is likely to be very difficult for those involved, particularly those who knew Jota best.

For now, Liverpool.com has rounded up the latest transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. Both players being linked are center-backs, which is a position that sporting director Richard Hughes could do with strengthening.

Giovanni Leoni (Parma)

Liverpool is one of a number of Premier League clubs keeping tabs on Parma talent Giovanni Leoni. He only joined the Serie A side from Sampdoria a year ago but could soon be on the move again.

According to talkSport, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Spurs and seven more English clubs are interested in Leoni. The 18-year-old center-back, though, might be likelier to stay in Italy for the time being.

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Leoni is said to be a dominant defender who is excellent on the ball. Liverpool is seeking a young star to add to its ranks having missed out on Leny Yoro a year ago and then Dean Huijsen earlier in this window.

The Reds sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen and have a buy-back clause inserted into that deal. Ibrahima Konate's contract only has one more year left to run on it, though, and Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace captain, has been linked.

Liverpool.com says: Leoni appears to be one to watch for the future. Like Huijsen joining Bournemouth before Real Madrid, though, it might make more sense for the player to move somewhere where he is more guaranteed game time to continue his development.

Castello Lukeba (RB Leipzig)

Sticking with central defenders, RB Leipzig star Castello Lukeba, who could be on the move this summer, is said to be of interest to Liverpool. According to Caught Offside, the 22-year-old would favor a move to Anfield.

Lukeba has a release clause worth around $105 million (£78 million) written into his contract in Germany. He might be available for around $68 million (£50 million), though, the report claims, which would seem more realistic.

Under contract until 2029, Lukeba is expected to move on from the Red Bull Arena sooner rather than later. If he were to join Liverpool, he would follow a familiar path last trodden by Dominik Szoboszlai in 2023.

Liverpool.com says: Lukeba looks like a really good modern defender. No one out there is as complete as Virgil van Dijk but at 22, he has a huge amount of potential still to be unlocked.

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