Liverpool have already added major quality to Arne Slot’s squad, but are now pushing to land two defensive additions.
Liverpool clinched the Premier League title last season and are certainly gunning for another successful campaign.
Arne Slot has already snapped up Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, while Liverpool continue to chase Alexander Isak.
Isak is grabbing the headlines right now, but Liverpool are also looking to bring in two new central defenders.
TBR Football understands that Liverpool are pushing to sign Marc Guehi and Giovanni Leoni in a double swoop to bolster Slot’s back line.
Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio before the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Parma
Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images
Liverpool told what to expect from Giovanni Leoni
Guehi is inside the final year of his Crystal Palace contract and looks set to leave Selhurst Park before the summer transfer deadline.
The England international is a proven Premier League centre-back, and Reds fans will know all about his quality.
Leoni is more of an unknown quantity, though, having only made 17 Serie A appearances for Parma.
The 18-year-old emerged with Padova and joined Parma last summer following a strong loan spell with Sampdoria.
Liverpool are closing in on a €35million (£30million) move for Leoni, and the wonderkid has been backed for success.
Former Parma youth coach Fausto Pizzi has told Tuttomercatoweb that he thinks Leoni has ‘incredible potential’.
Leoni arrived at Parma after Pizzi’s exit, but the former Parma coach has certainly been impressed from afar.
Pizzi believes Leoni has the perfect blend of physicality on the pitch and ‘an incredible personality’, ultimately believing that Liverpool’s interest is no great shock.
“I enjoyed him at Parma; he’s a player with incredible potential,” said Pizzi.
“He was born in December 2006 and has a physicality combined with an incredible personality. He’s only made 15 Serie A appearances, but his potential is clearly visible. His value is unquestionable; it’s no coincidence that Liverpool, who won the Premier League, made a move.
“They won’t have any problem paying €35-€40 million after spending over €100 million on several strikers. Thiaw went to the Premier League for €40 million, but Parma deserves applause for identifying a key young player and giving him the chance to shine. This is what small clubs should do: develop young players who can be sold on to support such an expensive business as football,” he added.
Liverpool planning for the future in defence
Some may be surprised to see Liverpool move to sign two centre-backs in one fell swoop.
However, Jarell Quansah joined Bayer Leverkusen this summer, and Joe Gomez is out injured once again.
Liverpool need depth behind Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate right now, but are also looking towards the future.
Van Dijk is now 34 and Liverpool may need to think about his long-term heir, while Konate is being eyed by Real Madrid.
Konate may leave Liverpool on a free transfer next summer, and the Reds would be wise to have his successor in-house.
Guehi and Leoni would fit that bill, and Liverpool may view the duo as their next great centre-back pairing in the coming years.