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Liverpool are reportedly scouting one Italian defender ahead of a potential summer move.

The Reds were busy earlier in the transfer window, sorting out plenty of business early in the window.

The club have already concluded the deals for Jeremie Frimpong,  Armin Pecsi, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Freddie Woodman with several months still left in the current window.

However, Liverpool’s transfer business has hit a pause for some time as the club mourns the unfortunate death of Diogo Jota.

The striker’s devastating death has led to changes in plans for the club, with the players, the staff and the executives at the club all involved in the mourning.

But, regardless of Jota’s passing, Liverpool’s summer plans remain intact and the club are expected to make some signings before the window closes.

One area of the pitch that a new player is expected in in central defence.

Liverpool are looking to sign a replacement for Jarell Quanahe, who joined Bayer Leverkusen last week.

The profile Liverpool is looking at is that of a young centre-back who can grow into a potential Virgil van Dijk long-term replacement.

Several players have been linked, with reports in Italy now naming Giovanni Leoni as a potential target for the Reds.

According to a report from ParmaToday, Liverpool are among several top clubs interested in signing the 18-year-old defender.

“The news is that his technical and athletic skills have impressed the scouts of the English champion Liverpool,” the report said.

Leoni only moved to Parma from Sampdoria last year for £4.1m.

But his performance for the Serie A side in the last season has attracted the interest of several top clubs, including Liverpool.

Speaking to Sky recently, Parma CEO Federico Cherubini revealed that there is interest from outside Italy for Leoni.

“There is also interest from abroad in Leoni”, explained Cherubini before revealing that the club are keen on keeping him.

“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 himself?

The market has just started, and anything can happen”.

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