Arne Slot has confirmed Liverpool’s deal with Parma for young centre-back Giovanni Leoni, with the head coach also questioned on interest in Marc Guehi.
The Reds spent pre-season with only two fit specialist centre-backs in Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, but could end the transfer window with five.
Joe Gomez returned to training on Wednesday following an Achilles injury, while the club struck a deal worth upwards of £26 million for Parma youngster Leoni later in the evening.
Leoni will undergo a medical on Thursday and Liverpool are expected to then push on with the pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Guehi.
Speaking at his pre-Bournemouth press conference, Slot said of Leoni: “The club have agreed a deal, but he hasn’t signed for us yet.
“The moment he signs for us, I can go into more detail.”
The Dutchman was also asked about Liverpool’s interest in Guehi, with the two clubs in ongoing negotiations but still apart in terms of their valuation – the champions are hoping to agree a package worth up to £35 million.
“The other one is of course the answer you always get from me,” Slot explained.
“Because he’s not our player. Unfortunately he was the captain of the team we lost against last Sunday.
“If you want to have any talks about him, you could go to Palace, [Oliver] Glasner, ask him about him.”
It is perhaps telling that Slot did not deny Liverpool’s interest in Guehi, though by now it is an open secret that he is a target.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Crystal Palace's captain Marc Guéhi lifts the trophy after the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Propaganda)
Movement could be expected in the coming days, particularly as there appears only a £5 million difference in the fee Palace are asking and Liverpool are willing to pay.
While Sky Sports claimed on Wednesday night that the gap in valuation made it more likely that Guehi would stay at Selhurst Park until next summer, that almost certainly won’t be the case.
That comes with the 25-year-old into the final year of his contract and Palace chairman Steve Parish already having made it clear they would sell before he is able to leave on a free transfer.