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Giovanni Leoni of Parma(Image: Leo Simon - Parma Calcio 1913/Parma Calcio 1913 via Getty Images)

Liverpool are ready to step up their interest in teenage Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni as they continue to revamp their defensive options.

The Reds are strong admirers of the 18-year-old Leoni, who was a breakthrough star in Serie A last season and has already been called up to the Italy under-21 squad.

While there has not yet been direct contact between Liverpool and Parma, reports in Italy have claimed the player would be available for €30million (£26m) plus bonuses.

Champions League finalists Inter Milan have long been regarded favourites to sign Leoni should he look to change clubs, with Cristian Chivu - who was his boss at Parma - having taken over at the San Siro this summer from Simone Inzaghi.

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But it has been reported Leoni would be open to a move to Liverpool, with the Reds now considering whether to make a concrete move for the player.

Leoni moved to Parma from Sampdoria for an initial €5m last summer.

He had previously featured in Serie B with Sampdoria having made his debut in Serie C with Padova in March 2023 when just 16.

Liverpool are keen to sign at least one centre-back before the September 1 deadline.

With Jarell Quansah having joined Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer and Joe Gomez nursing an Achilles injury, skipper Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate - who is in the last 12 months of his contract - were the only two available senior central defenders for the Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Liverpool also remain keen on Palace captain Marc Guehi, who is also in the last year of his deal and has shown no inclination of negotiating a new agreement.

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Palace chairman Steve Parish admitted earlier this week losing the player for nothing would be a "problem" and that Guehi could depart during the ongoing transfer window.


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