Fabrizio Romano confirms 'concrete' Liverpool interest in Italian wonderkid
One position in need of serious help is centre-back, since the only understudy for Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate is Joe Gomez - who is currently injured. We have no depth whatsoever in the role.
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Going into a season where you are hoping to retain your Premier League crown, alongside going further in the competitions you came short in last season, with three centre-backs is total carnage.
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As such, the options are being assessed, with Marc Guehi available on a possible move from Crystal Palace alongside Italian wonderkid Giovanni Leoni from Parma, who might also leave this summer.
Liverpool have 'concrete interest' in Leoni
Anfield Sector quoted an update from Fabrizio Romano on Leoni which said 'Liverpool are becoming more and more interest in Giovanni Leoni. Their interest is getting stronger and more concrete.'
This understanding was hidden slightly in one of the journalist's Youtube channels, specifically the one where he speaks in Italian, so that fans of Serie A clubs aren't reliant on understanding English.
In his latest video, he expanded more on what is sources are claiming Leoni.
Once translated into English, he said: "Giovanni Leoni is very well liked at Liverpool. He's highly regarded because he's one of the most promising young centre-backs currently around.
"Everyone really likes Leoni, we know about Inter [and] Juve. Really all the big clubs have made moves for Leoni to understand the situation. But to date no one is advanced, concrete negotiations with Parma. They still hope to keep the player.
"It's clear that if Liverpool were to decide on Leoni, that would change everything. It would be difficult for others to compete. They are looking for a young centre-back and he is on their shortlist. However, it's not an advanced or finalised deal with an offer on the table, so patience will be needed."
At just 18 years old, Leoni would certainly be thrown into the deep-end if Liverpool were to sign him, but his career to date has been impressive, demonstrating an ability to command the defence well and utilise his 6ft 4inch frame to win aerial battles and shrug off attackers.
Only €35m (£30m) is expected from Parma in order to let him go and the potential he is showing at such a young age is making fans excited about the possibility of a deal. Furthermore, he would qualify as a homegrown player in three years time if he were to sign, despite his Italian nationality.
The only major curveball that Liverpool might have to navigate is from interest elsewhere. Fabrizio name-dropped Inter Milan and Juventus, but Corriere dello Sport have also cited interest from Inter.
In their latest report it said: "Giovanni Leoni is the summer dream of Milan and Inter. The two Milanese could soon give life to a market duel for the talented Italian defender of Parma.
"Inter has been working on it for several weeks, they are courting him at a distance but have not yet tried the lunge because he is operating on the way out: it is well underway but now at least one transfer between Asllani and Taremi is missing to get to the necessary budget.
"The procrastination of the Nerazzurri could favour the inclusion of Milan, which is instead struggling with the possible sale of Malick Thiaw."
Although, Fabrizio Romano's latest update on Thiaw to Newcastle suggests that the German's transfer is very nearly there, so Leoni might be next on Milan's list, which is certainly a concern.
Right now, Liverpool have the pulling power and financial budget to be able to get this done and as mentioned previously, it is essential that a defender is brought in before the summer window closes.
But it was never going to be easy and whether the club decides to make use of its chance to make a move will be pivotal for the upcoming season. From now on, I'd keep a close eye on any updates.
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