Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during the Community Shield at Wembley.placeholder image
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during the Community Shield at Wembley. | Getty Images
Liverpool are looking to bring in defensive cover before the end of the transfer window
Premier League champions Liverpool arguably enter the new season as favourites to secure the title once again after a stand-out transfer window which has hit headlines after several marquee signings.
The Reds have improved from a position of strength to the highest degree, particularly during the early stages of the transfer window. Florian Wirtz arrived in a British-record £116million move from Bayer Leverkusen, while Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike have signed amongst others.
Though the saga surrounding Alexander Isak and Newcastle United continues to steal the headlines, arguably Liverpool’s greatest need in the remainder of transfer window is central defensive cover. Jarell Quansah has departed and Joe Gomez was injured once again in pre-season, leaving 34-year-old Virgil van Dijk and contract rebel Ibrahima Konate as the club’s two remaining senior centre-backs. If there is one reason why the Reds may fail to retain their Premier League title this season, it is a lack of planning ahead leading to a defensive crisis if one or both of the pair pick up an injury.
Liverpool make ‘concrete move’ to sign Italian wonderkid
According to reports by Sport Witness, Liverpool have taken significant steps forward in their bid to sign Parma defender Giovanni Leoni and are ‘willing to spend’ £35m on the 18-year-old.
The report adds that Liverpool have ‘conditions in place’ to secure a deal after making positive contact, according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, with Parma reportedly ‘delighted’ to finalise a transfer for the 2006-born wonderkid. Di Marzio claimed that the deal could accelerate further in the ‘next few hours’. Liverpool may opt to loan the teenager back out to Parma for a season, which could seal the move in a great deal for both sides.
‘Talent knows no age’ - Italian legend praises Liverpool move for Leoni
Reported by Mail Sport, legendary manager Arrigo Sacchi, famous for his spells in charge of AC Milan and the Italian national team while also a two-time Parma manager, spoke highly of Leoni and Liverpool’s move for the 18-year-old.
“We'll see if the deal goes through, but in any case, I'd say the Reds would be making a great move by signing this young man, whom I followed with interest and curiosity in the second half of last season,” Sacchi wrote in Gazzetta Dello Sport**.**
“I'm convinced he'll be the lynchpin of the Azzurri defence for a long time. Some, regarding a possible transfer to Liverpool, object that this young man has only made 17 Serie A appearances so far. Aren't those few? No, I reply. Not few, because on those occasions Leoni has demonstrated the qualities needed to go far.
“If someone is good, if someone has their head in the right place, it's immediately obvious. A person can have 200 Serie A games under their belts and still not possess the qualities Leoni displayed in his first season as an adult. Talent knows no age. Let's also give him the opportunity to make mistakes. At eighteen, some mistakes are expected and can be forgiven. And in any case, Leoni won't make many. He's a tough guy who's already learned the fundamental lesson, keep your head down and work hard.”
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