Report: Liverpool eye Parma's Giovanni Leoni as defence rebuild intensifies

The Reds have already parted ways with Jarell Quansah, who joined Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth 35 million pounds, prompting an urgent need to bolster their backline ahead of a demanding 2025-26 season.

With only three senior centre-backs, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and one other available, Liverpool are keen to reinforce their squad to compete across multiple fronts. While Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi has been heavily linked, negotiations have stalled due to Palace's 45-50 million pound valuation.

Posts on X suggest Liverpool are in prime position to sign Guehi, with talks ongoing, but the club are reluctant to meet the high asking price and may wait until his contract nears its 2026 expiry.

Instead, Liverpool have turned their attention to Leoni, a highly rated teenager who shone in his debut Serie A campaign with Parma. The 6ft 5in defender, who made 17 appearances under Cristian Chivu last season, helped Parma secure a 16th-place finish. 

His composure, ball-playing ability, and versatility have drawn comparisons to Juventus' Dean Huijsen, making him a strong fit for Arne Slot's progressive system.

Graeme Bailey, a Reds transfer expert, has said: "Liverpool have seen Leoni and have been impressed by him. He's on their radar, but he's got a lot of interest from other Premier League clubs too."

However, Bailey cautioned that Parma are determined to keep Leoni for another season, and the player himself is unlikely to settle for a bench role. "From what I'm hearing, he'd rather stay at Parma and play than sit on the bench," Bailey added.

Liverpool's pursuit of Leoni reflects their long-term vision of investing in young talent with high potential, a strategy that has previously unearthed stars like Joe Gomez and Stefan Bajcetic. However, with van Dijk at 33 and Konate's injury concerns, fans are eager for a more experienced signing to complement any move for Leoni.

Guehi, at 24, remains a fan favourite due to his Premier League pedigree and leadership, having captained Palace to FA Cup success last season.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's official channels have yet to comment on specific targets, but manager Arne Slot has said: "We are always looking to improve the squad with players who fit our style and ambitions."

For Liverpool fans, Leoni's potential arrival is an exciting glimpse into the future, but the consensus is clear: a proven centre-back like Guehi is still needed to ensure defensive stability.

With the transfer window in full swing, the Reds are poised to act swiftly to balance immediate needs with their trademark forward-thinking approach.