Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed on Thursday that the club has agreed a deal with Parma to sign 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
Reports suggest the Premier League champions will pay £26 million ($35 million) for the highly rated defender, who has made just 17 Serie A appearances.
The move comes after a busy summer in which Liverpool have spent £260 million on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, strengthening their squad following last season’s record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.
However, the departure of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen left Slot with only three centre-backs. Joe Gomez has missed most of pre-season through injury, while Ibrahima Konate’s future is uncertain as he enters the final year of his contract.
“The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn’t signed for us yet. The moment he does, I can go into more detail,” said Slot ahead of Friday’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
Despite Leoni’s expected arrival, Liverpool are still considering further defensive reinforcements before the transfer window closes, with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi reportedly on their radar.
Liverpool have not retained the league title since 1984, and Slot expects the challenge to be even greater this season due to squad turnover. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Caoimhin Kelleher have all left, while the club is still mourning the loss of Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last month.
“The main reason it is so difficult is because there are so many competitors who can win the league. This year will be even harder than before,” Slot said. “We have lost five or six players who played a lot of minutes last season and brought in four, so naturally there will be a period of adaptation.”
The signing of Wirtz from Leverkusen could rise to a British record £116 million, but Slot believes the 21-year-old has the temperament to handle the pressure.
“When you see him play, he is so creative. He is mentally strong and doesn’t get distracted by a transfer fee,” the Dutch coach added. “Good players find a way to play well in good teams. He has to adjust to England, the league and the intensity, but so far he has settled in even better than we expected.”