Liverpool could still be active in the market this summer despite completing a number of early transfers.

The Reds had a busy June, sealing three big deals for Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez.

Since then, Liverpool‘s world has been rocked by the tragic and untimely passing of Diogo Jota, along with his brother Andre Silva.

The focus right now is, rightfully, on Jota and his brother, and that will remain the case for the foreseeable future.

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Unfortunately, though, Liverpool officials must deal with the uncomfortable reality that they still have transfer business left to conduct this summer.

Liverpool have been looking at signing a young centre-back following Jarell Quansah’s exit from the club.

But the Reds have now been warned that their pursuit of a young starlet is unlikely to go the way they’d hoped.

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After Quansah’s exit to Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool have only three senior centre-backs on the books heading into next season.

Marc Guehi has been heavily linked but it remains to be seen whether Liverpool will find value in Crystal Palace’s asking price for a player with just one year left on his contract.

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Instead, there have been suggestions that Richard Hughes could turn to a younger option in the 18-22 bracket.

With that in mind, Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni has been named as a target for Liverpool.

But, according to the Italian club’s CEO Federico Cherubini, it is much more likely that Leoni stays at Parma this summer.

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“There is also interest from abroad,” Cherubini told Sky Italia via TuttomercatoWeb earlier this week when asked whether Inter, AC Milan or Juventus were leading the race for the 18-year-old.

“We said that his journey, in our opinion, has just begun in Parma and should continue.

To date we have not had any opposing signals from Leoni or his entourage, we are convinced that he can stay in Parma, or in any case that it is the best thing for Parma and for the player.

The market starts tomorrow [1st July] and anything can happen.”

Given Liverpool’s need for a new centre-back, and the apparent preference Hughes has for signing players from Italy, Leoni could be one to watch.

SeasonClubAppearancesGoalsAssists2022/23Padova1002023/24Sampdoria12102024/25Parma1710Giovanni Leoni career statistics

Despite Cherubini’s insistence that the centre-back is likely to stay at Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma Today report that Liverpool have been ‘showing the most interest’ in signing him.

Reds scouts are said to have been impressed after watching Leoni in action, but it’s claimed they will have to stump up at least £26m to begin negotiations with Parma.

Given Leoni’s young age, Liverpool may feel that is slightly too high a price to pay.

Nevertheless, the teenager has impressed in 17 appearances for Parma since arriving from Sampdoria in 2024.

If Liverpool don’t make their move now, they could pay even more in the future.