Liverpool have received a double boost in their search for a new defender.
The Reds have spent lavishly on new signings this summer, shelling out well in excess of €300 million on incomings. However, there is one glaring department that has so far been overlooked.
Liverpool currently only have three top-level centre-backs on their books in Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and the injured Joe Gomez. Having sold Jarell Quansah, there is a major void at the back that has yet to be filled.
Marc Guehi is the Reds’ top target, and they are believed to be in pole position for his signing, but FootballTransfers understands that Man Utd will offer stiff competition for his signature. Crystal Palace boss Steve Parish has admitted that he is likely to leave before the window slams shut.
Liverpool get Leoni and Cresswell boosts
Should Liverpool, for whatever reason, fail to secure the signing of Guehi, there are contingency options available. According to Fabrizio Romano, the Merseyside outfit are admirers of young Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
Corriere dello Sport reports that the Serie A side recently knocked back a €35 million offer from an unnamed English club, but there is an acceptance that they will sell for the right price.
As for Leoni, he is understood to be prioritising remaining in Italy. However, Serie A clubs, despite their well-documented interest, have so far refrained from making a move as the 18-year-old is keen to be a regular starter in a World Cup year.
Staying at Parma for another season may be the smartest course of action, but the report adds that Leoni’s stance could be tested should an elite English club approach him.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have also received promising news from France, where Toulouse’s sporting director Viktor Bezhani has admitted that Reds-linked Charlie Cresswell could be sold before the window shuts.
“We are delighted by the amount of interest in our players,” he told L’Equipe. “It shows that we are doing good things and that the rest of Europe is watching us. It isn’t a secret that if a good offer arrives, we’ll have a look at it.”
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