Liverpool strike €35m deal to sign Parma prospect Giovanni Leoni as Reds face disappointment in Marc Guehi transfer pursuit

Leoni is set to join the Reds, according to Fabrizio Romano, with the club agreeing a fee of €35m for the 18-year-old. The deal comes on the heels of news that the Reds are set to miss out on Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, with the Eagles captain seemingly set to remain at Selhurst Park for the final year of his contract, at least.

Leoni has only made 17 first-team appearances for Parma but he is said to idolise Virgil van Dijk, and is clearly highly-rated by the Anfield decision-makers. The teenager can play at both centre-back and at right-back.

Liverpool have made serious moves this summer and Leoni is set to become the club's seventh first-team signing of the window. Of course, the headline-grabbing acquisitions are Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, but Leoni is certainly one for the future. 

Liverpool kick off their Premier League title defence on Friday when they take on Bournemouth. They will hope to have Leoni signed in time for the curtain-raiser.