Latest Liverpool transfer news as Italian defender Giovanni Leoni arrives at the airport ahead of his Reds switch
Giovanni Leoni.
Liverpool transfer target Giovanni Leoni has been spotted arriving at the airport ahead of his move.(Image: Photo by Leo Simon - Parma Calcio 1913/Parma Calcio 1913 via Getty Images)
Liverpool transfer target Giovanni Leoni has been pictured arriving at an airport in Italy ahead of his move to the Premier League. The Reds agreed a deal with Serie A side Parma worth £26million with the talented defender set to sign a long-term contract.
Arne Slot's side were granted permission for the 18-year-old to undergo a medical, which is due to take place on Thursday, meaning the deal could be wrapped up in the coming days. Liverpool have continued their efforts to add reinforcements after a summer splurge that has seen Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike enter the fray.
With Jarell Quansah departing Anfield to join Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool have been left slightly light at the back and with Joe Gomez returning from injury, only Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have been senior options for the Dutchman.
The ECHO reported yesterday that an agreement has been reached with Parma in a switch that will see Liverpool's spending exceed £50million.
It is understood Leoni will go straight into the first-team set up and a loan move has been ruled out.
As well as the highly-rated defender, Liverpool remain in talks with Crystal Palace over captain Marc Guehi.
The England defender lifted the Community Shield at the Reds' expense last Sunday after their win on penalties at Wembley. With less than 12 months remaining on his contract, this summer poses one of the final opportunities for Oliver Glasner's side to recoup funds for their skipper before he leaves on a free next summer.
On Thursday, outlet Gianluca Di Marzio posted to social media a video of Leoni arriving at the airport ahead of a private jet bringing him to the United Kingdom.
Liverpool kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Bournemouth on Friday evening with the Reds looking for a winning start in their title defence.
Slot spoke to reporters on Thursday, but failed to be drawn on Guehi as he revealed an agreement had been reached for the Italian.
"The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn’t signed for us yet," said the Liverpool head coach.
"The moment when he signs for us, I can go into more detail.
"And the other one (Guehi) is of course the answer you always get from me.
"No, (I cannot go into more detail) because he is not our player and unfortunately he was the captain of the team where we lost against last Sunday.
"No, if you want to have any talks about him, you should go to Palace, to (Oliver) Glasner and ask him his opinion about him."