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Liverpool are still searching for a new centre-back as the clock begins to tick on the transfer window.

The Reds have done some stunning business this summer and look to add to that further by bringing in another attacker or two.

But while forward additions will always excite fans at Anfield, what Arne Slot really needs more than anything right now is another defender.

Thankfully, Liverpool appear to be on it.

The Reds will surely not head into the season with only three senior centre-backs to call upon.

Nevertheless, it still remains a mystery who Slot’s ideal new centre-half will be, although it is clear that Richard Hughes has been tasked with finding a young defender who can develop within the Liverpool squad.

Parma teenager Giovanni Leoni has been mentioned as a potential target, and according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool have a very strong hand in this particular transfer poker.



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Leoni had a breakout season in Serie A last term, making 17 appearances and announcing himself as a real prospect.

With Hughes possessing deep knowledge of the Italian game, Leoni has looked like a strong candidate for Liverpool to sign this summer.

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And though Romano also confirms interest from some of Italy’s biggest clubs, the transfer expert says if Liverpool enter the race, it will be difficult for anyone else to compete for Leoni.

“Giovanni Leoni is very well liked at Liverpool.

He’s highly regarded because he’s one of the most promising young centre backs currently around,” Romano told his Italian language YouTube channel.

READ MORE: Liverpool have ‘strong interest’ in securing deal for breakout Serie A star

“Everyone really likes Leoni, we know about Inter, Juve, really all the big clubs have made moves for Leoni to understand the situation.

“It’s clear that if Liverpool were to decide on Leoni, that would change everything,” the reporter adds.

“It would be difficult for others to compete.

At 6 feet 5 inches tall, he is an absolute monster of a centre-back.

Only 18 years old, signing the Parma stopper would perhaps be a gamble for Liverpool, but it is clear that Leoni is going to develop into a really good defender.

Nevertheless, with a reported asking price of £30m, the Reds may just decide that the deal is too expensive given everything else they’ve done this summer.

They do have other options floating around, with Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez and Konstantinos Koulierakis of Wolfsburg also said to feature high on their shortlist.

As Romano says, patience is still needed with this one, but with just over three weeks of the window left, Liverpool can’t leave it too long.