By SIMON JONES
Published: 15:55 EDT, 13 August 2025 | Updated: 15:55 EDT, 13 August 2025
Liverpool are finalising agreement on a £26million deal for Parma defender Giovanni Leoni.
The Reds will pay further add-ons for the 18-year old on performances plus a sell-on percentage.
Daily Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that the Premier League champions had stepped up their interest in the defender.
The deal unconnected to Liverpool's pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for a similar fee.
The Italy U19 has only played 17 times in Serie A but the Reds transfer department are understood to like Leoni a lot and are ready to pursue a move to sign him.
Liverpool's interest in Leoni, a 6ft 5in central defender, comes after the Reds previously pursued Lenny Yoro, Jorrel Hato and Dean Huijsen as they seek a long-term successor to captain Virgil van Dijk.