Liverpool have reportedly agreed personal terms with Parma defender Giovanni Leoni as they look to bolster their central defence before the transfer window closes.
The Premier League champions are admirers of the 18-year-old, who emerged as a breakthrough star in Serie A last season and has already earned a call-up to the Italy under-21 squad.
While there has not yet been direct contact between Liverpool and Parma, reports in Italy suggest the defender could be available for €30million plus bonuses.
Champions League finalists Inter Milan have long been considered favourites to sign Leoni, particularly with Cristian Chivu – his former coach at Parma – taking over at the San Siro this summer from Simone Inzaghi.
However, it has been reported that Leoni would be open to a move to Liverpool, with the Reds now considering whether to make a concrete offer.
Leoni joined Parma from Sampdoria last summer for an initial €5million.
He previously played in Serie B with Sampdoria and made his professional debut in Serie C with Padova in March 2023 at just 16 years old. Liverpool are looking to sign at least one centre-back before the September 1 transfer deadline.
According to transfer expert Nicolò Schira, Leoni agreed personal terms with Liverpool.
“Agreement in principle between Giovanni #Leoni and #Liverpool for a contract until 2031,” he posted on X.
“#LFC’s are set to offer €35M to #Parma to sign him, even if #Reds could remake the same strategy used last year for Mamardashvili: Leoni will stay at Parma on loan until June ‘26.”
With Jarell Quansah having joined Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer and Joe Gomez sidelined with an Achilles injury, captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate – who is in the final 12 months of his contract – were the only available senior central defenders in Liverpool’s Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Liverpool also remain keen on Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who is in the last year of his contract and has shown no interest in negotiating a new deal.
Palace chairman Steve Parish admitted earlier this week that losing the player for nothing would be a “problem” and confirmed Guehi could depart during the ongoing transfer window.
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