Liverpool are now in line to sign themselves a new star. This comes after a rival struck a different deal.
Liverpool are in need of a new centre-back. They sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, after all, as they received a hefty sum for a player who was arguably fourth-choice last season.
But they haven't replaced Quansah, leaving them light at the back. It's awfully similar to 2020 when Liverpool went into a season with only three centre-backs.
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That, though, was a complete disaster. Liverpool struggled badly with injuries and ended up without any fit senior defenders. Surely they're not going to do that again?
Well, reports suggest they're not going to. Liverpool do want to sign a new centre-back and have a few linked with them.
One is Marc Guehi, who is undoubtedly the star signing if the Reds can make it happen. But there is another top option in Giovanni Leoni.
Leoni is potentially a homegrown player, too, if Liverpool bring him in this summer. He's only 18 and would eventually qualify.
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Giovanni Leoni's situation
It appeared that Liverpool had a problem signing Leoni. AC Milan are also interested and have sold Malick Thiaw to Newcastle United - something that was a prerequisite to signing the young Italian.
However, Fabrizio Romano confirms that Milan have now agreed a deal to sign Koni De Winter from Genoa. That’s an alternative signing and one that now clears the path for Liverpool to sign Leoni.
Can they secure a deal? Time will tell, as will the situation with Guehi. Inter also would like to sign Leoni, potentially creating a bit more trouble for Liverpool.