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Hugo Ekitike has reacted as Liverpool close in on their latest transfer.(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike appears to have liked a post on social media regarding Giovanni Leoni's proposed transfer.

The 18-year-old Italian is set to undergo a medical on Merseyside ahead of a £26million move from Parma in a deal that will take the Reds' business to over £300million this summer.

Leoni will form part of Arne Slot's first-team plans - despite being in the infancy of his career and making just 17 Serie A appearances for the club - where he will offer competition to Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez.



Liverpool have been light on defensive options with Gomez recovering from an Achilles injury that forced him to leave their Far East tour early, while Jarell Quansah has made the switch to Bayer Leverkusen.

The 18-year-old Leoni is set to be a huge coup for Liverpool, with Anfield chiefs initially having Inter Milan leading the chase to sign him.

READ MORE:Giovanni Leoni to Liverpool transfer timeline as defender flies in for medicalREAD MORE:Joe Gomez, Alexis Mac Allister, Conor Bradley - Latest Liverpool injury and suspension news

However, interest has firmed up which led to an agreement with the Serie A club.

Slot confirmed that an agreement had been reached - between the Premier League champions and the historic Italian side - with footage since emerging showing the defender at the airport ahead of his flight to England.

The latest piece of business on L4 comes during a busy summer where the Anfield recruitment team have broke the bank to add quality to the reigning top-flight holders.

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Ekitike, who was the latest arrival after the Reds beat Newcastle United to his signature, showed his true feelings towards the move after reacting to a social media post.

The Frenchman was among those to like Fabrizio Romano's post which read: "HERE WE GO!

"Liverpool agree deal to sign Giovanni Leoni as new CB from Parma.

"Club to club agreement in place for €35m & sell-on as Leoni will sign long term deal as new Liverpool player.

"18-year-old Italian centre back arrives immediately as loan to Parma was never considered a serious option.

"And Liverpool try also for Marc Guehi soon."

Leoni will not feature against Bournemouth with his move likely to be completed after or in the hours before the Cherries visit Anfield on Friday night.

During his pre-match press conference, Slot confirmed that an agreement had been reached with Parma over the defender.

"The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn’t signed for us yet," he said.

"The moment when he signs for us, I can go into more detail."

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