Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Parma defender Giovanni Leoni, according to GIVEMESPORT Senior Reporter Fabrizio Romano.
It's been a strong start to the summer transfer window for the Merseyside club, strengthening in a host of different positions while spending a significant amount of money. Arthur Pecsi, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Hugo Ekitike have all joined the club in the last few weeks, with the Reds looking to protect the Premier League title this season.
Attention could now turn to bringing in a new centre-back, with Liverpool reinforcing almost every other position in Arne Slot's side. At the back, Slot has Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk as his starting centre-backs as it stands, but with Joe Gomez currently injured and Jarrel Quansah leaving earlier in the window, he has a lack of options to choose from.
Liverpool Agree Deal to Sign Giovanni Leoni
Giovanni Leoni
Reporting on X, GIVEMESPORT senior reporter Romano has confirmed that Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Parma youngster Leoni. The fee is around €35m, and he's expected to be part of Slot's plans rather than going out on loan.
"BREAKING: Giovanni Leoni to Liverpool, here we go! Deal agreed with Parma for Italian 18yo centre back. No loan, never discussed… Leoni joins #LFC now as part of Arne Slot plans. Fee around €35m with sell-on clause. No convincing ever needed as Leoni wanted Liverpool."
This news comes after another GIVEMESPORT reporter Ben Jacobs confirmed earlier on Wednesday that an agreement was 'very close'. The 19-year-old is expected to provide cover for Van Dijk and Konate at Anfield, while the Reds are also looking at Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi.
Leoni, described as an 'absolute monster' by journalist Ben Bocsak, might find it difficult to displace Konate and Van Dijk in the starting XI initially, with the duo forming a strong partnership in defence, but the former is out of contract next summer. The signing of Leoni will likely be with a long-term plan in mind, but he's also capable of making an impact at senior level.
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