Full focus at Liverpool has been on their search for a new striker in the transfer market over recent days.
The Reds sent a potential British transfer-breaking bid to Newcastle for Alexander Isak on Friday, which the Magpies swiftly turned down.
Although Liverpool are expected to return for Isak, it may be that that saga runs on until the final weeks of the window.
In the meantime, Liverpool must put their efforts towards bringing in a new centre-back.
Arne Slot is down to three options in central defence ahead of the season, and with Joe Gomez currently injured, the need for new recruits is clear.
While Isak’s name has been freely mentioned in the press for weeks, though, it has been a little unclear as to who Liverpool’s centre-back targets are. With the end of summer closing in, the Reds have reportedly narrowed down their search to three names.
Parma defender Giovanni Leoni pictured playing against Juventus.
Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images
Liverpool yet to decide on top centre-back target
As Liverpool aim to replace Jarell Quansah following his move to Bayer Leverkusen, they are reportedly looking for a young defender in the 18-22 age bracket.
As a result, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi belongs in a separate list.
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According to The Daily Mail, Liverpool are still hopeful that Palace will lower their asking price on Guehi, which is said to currently stand at around £45m.
The Reds are claimed to see Guehi as an ‘opportunistic’ signing, however, and his addition is not linked to them looking for a long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk.
READ MORE: Three different scenarios which could play out between Liverpool, Newcastle and Alexander Isak after bid rejected
As they search for that elusive addition, Liverpool have reportedly watched three up-and-coming young centre-backs: Giovanni Leoni of Parma, Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez and Konstantinos Koulierakis of Wolfsburg.
Liverpool’s scouts are said to have watched all three players very closely in recent times, although there is claimed to be nothing concrete in the works for any of them just yet.
Joel Ordonez is the way to go for Liverpool
As the smoke starts to clear on who will be Liverpool’s new centre-back addition, any of these three would be useful signings.
🔵⚪️Les négociations entre l’OM et Bruges avancent très bien pour Joel Ordonez.
▫️Le joueur ne veut venir qu’à Marseille, il n’écoute plus aucune offre désormais.
➡️ Le dénouement est proche ! ⌛️#TeamOM | #MercatOM pic.twitter.com/GioVjLsyDY
— La Minute OM (@LaMinuteOM_) August 1, 2025
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At 18, Leoni is the youngest, and there are question marks as to whether he would be ready for a step up of such size.
Both 21, Ordonez and Koulierakis would be slightly more ready-made options for Slot.
In our opinion, Ordonez is the right option for Liverpool to go for. The Ecuadorian excelled in the Champions League last season and could slot in well as a fourth-choice option. Unfortunately, Ordonez does appear to be in negotiations over a move to Marseille.
There could yet be another name emerge as the window heads into its final weeks, but it looks like it could be one of these three rocking up at Anfield.