Liverpool are looking at centre-backs, and TBR Football can exclusively reveal some information on Giovanni Leoni, which could be an issue.
The Reds have had a blockbuster summer so far, splashing the cash and getting some huge names in return, such as the likes of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike.
But, they aren’t done yet. Alexander Isak to Liverpool remains in the balance, while they’ve seemingly turned to a centre-back, with Marc Guehi and now Giovanni Leoni emerging as two front-runners to make their way to Anfield.
Parma v FC Internazionale - Serie A
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Young Italian Leoni is a player Liverpool like, with the Reds “huge fans” of the potential Jarrell Quansah replacement. But there is a slight issue.
Exclusive: Liverpool issue with Giovanni Leoni
TBR Football can reveal, through chief correspondent Graeme Bailey an issue is that Leoni wants game time at Anfield.
So the decision now, as a deal nears, is whether Liverpool will loan the player back to the Italian side.
Bailey says: “Liverpool are huge fans of the player – he is on their list and is one of the serious options they are considering. To replace [Jarrell] Quansah, the hierarchy were of the view that they needed a similar model.
“Leoni is available. I am told that Parma want €40million, but it is not that simple – the player wants football. Since the turn of the year, he has been a near-ever-present for Parma, and he wants to be playing next season.
“Indeed, there is a genuine possibility he can make the Italian World Cup squad, but he won’t be doing that if he is not playing.
Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio before the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Parma
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“Juventus, one of the sides showing an interest, have floated the idea of signing him and loaning him back, and I can confirm that Liverpool have also had those conversations.
“We know Liverpool have done these deals many times, so I would not rule that out. The issue is that Liverpool need a defender now, but we can’t rule out them doing Leoni – the player’s camp have admitted they are unlikely to say no to the English champions if they came calling this summer.”
Liverpool, with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk as the staple centre-back pairing, may not be able to accommodate his wishes. With Liverpool-linked Guehi also in the mix, this could prove a serious issue.
This said, Bailey also states Liverpool “love him as a player” and are looking to get both deals done for the Italian and the Crystal Palace centre-back.
Exclusive: Which other centre-backs do Liverpool like?
TBR Football can reveal, through chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, that alongside Guehi and Leoni, the Reds are still monitoring numerous other centre-backs, including 21-year-old Greek wonderkid Konstantinos Koulierakis and Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite.
Bailey says: “Liverpool, Guehi and Leoni aside, are going to work on players. They have seen Nathan Zeze head to Saudi Arabia; they missed out on Dean Huijsen, but there are the likes of Joel Ordonez and Konstantinos Koulierakis.
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“As TBR Football revealed, Ordonez is wanted by Marseille, but he is a player they like a lot.
“Koulierakis is an outstanding prospect – don’t sleep on him either – and the fact that he is left-sided could be a very good fit.
“We know Liverpool are looking at that type of player, and we know they are huge admirers of the likes of Branthwaite and Murillo, so that is a player they are keen on.”