Liverpool are badly in need of signing a new centre-back as the summer transfer window enters its final three weeks.

It has been clear that the Reds would require another defender ever since they sold Jarell Quansah at the beginning of July.

However, despite Liverpool pushing to sign an attacker, there has been little evidence of work being done on defensive targets.

A few names have been put forward as targets, though, and Parma teenager Giovanni Leoni has emerged as a serious contender.

Paul Joyce: Liverpool ‘will spend the money’ to land transfer target – but face one big obstacle	Paul Joyce responds to Bradley Barcola and Liverpool links	Paul Joyce says Liverpool now have 'strong interest' in securing deal for breakout Serie A star

On Thursday, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that Liverpool could easily beat their Serie A competitors to Leoni, with the Reds seen as stronger candidates than either Inter Milan or Juventus.

But Liverpool-based reporter Paul Joyce has now weighed in to paint a slightly different picture.

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Leoni looks an excellent prospect.

Despite being only 18, he has already made an impact in Serie A for Parma.

Christian Chivu was the manager who signed him for the Gialloblu, and with the Romanian having since joined Inter, Joyce says Liverpool have a feeling they may be trailing in the race for Leoni.

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“There’s certainly going to be a push to bring a defender in,” the journalist told The Game podcast.

“They have been looking at a young, Italian centre-back, Giovanni Leoni who plays for Parma.

“He’s only 18 and Liverpool over recent seasons have tried to make a point of recruiting an up-and-coming centre-back with so far very little success.

Dean Huijsen at Bournemouth was a big target this summer but obviously they got trumped by Real Madrid.”

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“It feels like a similar situation could be unfolding with Leoni,” Joyce continued, “in that he’s 18, he was managed by Christian Chivu at Parma last season.

“Chivu has just taken over at Inter Milan this summer and I think there’s a feeling now that because the 18-year-old wants to play, at that age staying in Italy carries an appeal as well, that Inter are favourites for that deal at the moment.”

Of course, Leoni will be far from the only defender Liverpool are monitoring, especially if they feel Inter are favourites to secure the youngster.

Joyce does go on to point out another centre-back target for the Reds, reiterating the state of play regarding Marc Guehi.

“The other one to probably watch is Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace, there’s a definite interest in him,” said the journalist.

“A lot will depend on Palace’s asking price, even if they’re willing to sell towards the end of the window.

He’s probably a £50m player for Palace even with a year to go on his deal, but Liverpool wouldn’t value him at that price.