With Giovanni Leoni already on his way, Liverpool and Richard Hughes are now reportedly very keen to accelerate another summer deal before the deadline at the start of next month.
Slot confirms Leoni agreement
Sitting down for his first Premier League press conference of the season, Arne Slot had some good news for Liverpool fans. The Dutchman confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Italian side Parma to sign defender Leoni, who is reportedly set to be presented in front of Anfield before the Reds square off against Bournemouth tonight.
Slot told reporters: “The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn’t signed. The moment he signs I can go into more detail.”
In a deal worth around £26m, the 18-year-old will replace Jarell Quansah at the home of the Premier League champions following the defender's earlier departure to Bayer Leverkusen.
Following their Community Shield defeat against Crystal Palace on penalties, there were some concerns about Liverpool's centre-back problem, but that has only sparked the Reds into life in the transfer market once again. And with Leoni, their window has only reached new heights.
Whilst the Italian is unlikely to have an immediate starting place ahead of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, Arrigo Sacchi's praise suggests that Liverpool have got themselves a future star.
The legendary manager wrote in Gazzetta Dello Sport: "We'll see if the deal goes through, but in any case, I'd say the Reds would be making a great move by signing this young man, whom I followed with interest and curiosity in the second half of last season."
Even after Leoni, however, Liverpool are still not done. Reports are now suggesting that Hughes has already shifted his focus towards another top target.
Hughes now keen to accelerate Guehi move
According to Caught Offside, Hughes is now very keen to accelerate a move to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The two clubs reportedly remain far apart in their valuations, with Palace demanding around £50m and Liverpool currently willing to pay as much as £40m, but the fact that the defender is into the final year of his contract will hand the Reds the advantage.
Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi celebrates after the match
As for the player, himself, Guehi reportedly wants to complete a summer switch to Anfield and join up with the Premier League champions, a far cry from reports earlier this summer that he would "run across London" to join Arsenal.
The England international shouldn't have too many concerns about game time, either. As things stand, Ibrahima Konate is set to depart as a free agent next summer, allowing a player of Guehi's calibre to take hold of the position next to Van Dijk on a permanent basis.
PL stats 24/25 Guehi Konate
Minutes 3,059 2,560
Progressive Passes 134 115
Ball Recoveries 146 98
Aerial Duels Won 68 74
Described as "great" by Manchester City's John Stones and "world class" by Ezri Konsa, Guehi has only pushed on ever since and should now be at the top of Liverpool's wishlist.