Paul Joyce reports that “the next instalment” of Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak “cannot be far away” while offering an update on the centre-back transfer saga as Liverpool pursue Marc Guehi and Giovanni Leoni.
Guehi, 24, is the stronger option given his Premier League experience, proven talent, leadership skills and recent role in captaining Crystal Palace to their maiden trophy in May with an historic FA Cup win.
Leoni, 18, is the long-term prospect that you’d imagine be a long-term replacement for Ibrahima Konate – whether next summer or beyond the Frenchman’s potential contract extension.
Contract renewal talks for the Frenchman are still part of Liverpool’s holistic plans for the squad but are not the priority this summer as FSG focus on assembling the strongest possible squad for Arne Slot.
The Dutchman has captured the hearts and minds of Liverpool supporters and is seemingly being enabled to guide the club into a truly unprecedented era of success.
Guehi and Leoni are part of that vision for dominance in England and in Europe.
Guehi and Leoni are Liverpool’s two targets for centre-back
According to Paul Joyce, writing in the Times’ ‘The transfer window so far’ diary, reports that Liverpool are exploring signing both Guehi and Leoni – it’s unclear if the Reds want both.
On what Liverpool need still this summer, Joyce highlighted the need for a new central defender following Jarell Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen for a fee reported to be £35m.
Excitingly, Joyce also writes that “interest remains in Alexander Isak”.
On what may happen between now and the summer transfer window’s close on 1 September, the Times journalist says Liverpool may reignite their interest in Guehi after the Mirror claimed the Reds were in pole position to land him last month before the pivot to Isak.
Interest in Leoni remains but Inter Milan may be winning that race.
Joyce writes: “Marc Guéhi has entered the final year of his contract at Crystal Palace and Liverpool may follow up their interest depending on the asking price.
“They also have interest in the 18-year-old centre back Giovanni Leoni of Parma but there is a sense that Inter Milan lead the chase. Cristian Chivu moved from Parma to become Inter head coach in the summer and Leoni also wants to play regularly.
“Isak, of course, has been the saga of the summer and the next instalment of that story cannot be far away.”
Read on as Liverpool are seemingly on the verge of submitting a second – and hopefully successful – bid for Isak which could be worth between £130m and £150m.