Two big Italian clubs are worried that Liverpool are "really serious" about a highly-rated player they both want to sign this summer.
Van Dijk demands more after Community Shield defeat
The Reds lost to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on Sunday afternoon, losing on penalties after a 2-2 draw, never quite getting going after a promising start. Captain Virgil van Dijk conceded a penalty and wasn't at his imperious best, and speaking after the game, he demanded more from Liverpool with the new Premier League season approaching.
"We all have plenty of experience, winning and losing. What kind of impact it should have is that we realise we need a couple of things that we have to improve as a team if we want to retain the title, which obviously will be a very big job in itself.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk
"We have a recovery day tomorrow and then we fully focus on Bournemouth, which will be a very tough game. But I’m really looking forward to the start of the Premier League. Friday at home with our fans, we know it’s going to be emotional obviously with everything that is going on and happened. But I’m really looking forward to it."
Liverpool supporters will be hoping to see more transfer business completed at both ends of the pitch this month, and now a new update has emerged regarding their pursuit of a new centre-back.
Liverpool "really serious" about signing "complete" ace
According to Tuttosport [via Sport Witness], Liverpool are "really serious" about £34.6m-rated Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni, amid plenty of interest in him this summer.
Both Inter Milan and AC Milan are also keen on signing the 18-year-old, with the report stating that the Serie A giants need to "watch out" for the Reds hijacking a move for him. Meanwhile, Parma Live claim that the Merseysiders are "in pole position" to get their man.
Napoli's Romelu Lukaku in action with Parma's Giovanni Leoni
A new centre-back is imperative for Liverpool before the transfer window closes, with rumoured target Marc Guehi impressing for Palace against them on Sunday.
Leoni could be a cheaper option than the Eagles captain, however, as well as being seven years younger, with scout Jacek Kulig among those who admire him, describing him as a "complete" player.
At just 18, Leoni is already an established player at a high level, starting 14 matches in Serie A for Parma last season, as well as averaging 3.6 clearances per game.
Unlike Guehi, the Italian is also more likely to be content with a squad role at Liverpool to begin with, given his age, and he could prove to be an ideal understudy to Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.