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Search Liverpool are set to sign Giovanni Leoni from Parma and have also held talks with Crystal Palace over a move for Marc Guehi.

Arne Slot had his first press conference ahead of the new Premier League season (Image: Liverpool/YouTube)

Arne Slot has remained tight-lipped over the Liverpool's interest in Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi, despite confirming a deal with Parma for Giovanni Leoni.

The Reds have agreed an initial £26m fee plus add-ons with the Serie A side to sign the young defender.

The 18-year-old has been given the green light to travel to Liverpool for a medical after striking a deal with Parma on Wednesday evening.

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Liverpool managed to fend off competition from several top Italian clubs and Premier League rivals, with the youngster insistent on making the move to Anfield.

Any talk of a loan departure has been firmly dismissed.

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Following the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal potentially worth up to £35m, Slot was left with only Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez as his senior centre-back options.

However, Van Dijk missed Liverpool's two friendly matches against Athletic Bilbao due to illness, while Gomez has been absent for most of pre-season with a minor Achilles problem.

Meanwhile, speculation continues to swirl around Konate's future with his contract set to expire next summer.

While Liverpool are nearing the signing of Leoni, they also initiated discussions with Crystal Palace about a potential move for Guehi earlier this week.

However, Slot remained tight-lipped about Liverpool's pursuit of the latter when asked about the club's latest transfer activities ahead of their Premier League opener at home to AFC Bournemouth.

Giovanni Leoni is set to become a Liverpool player (Image: Getty)

"(I can tell you) that the clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn't signed for us yet," Slot revealed about Leoni during his pre-match press conference.

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Marc Guehi Liverpool FC Crystal Palace FC