Liverpool step up moves for TWO new defenders as Reds open £35m Marc Guehi talks & eye Giovanni Leoni hijack before transfer deadline

According to The Times, Liverpool are keen to bring in more defensive reinforcements before the summer transfer window closes and have lined up deals for Guehi and Leoni. Crystal Palace are somewhat open to selling Guehi as they don't want to lose him for free next year when his contract runs out, while the Reds reportedly see Leoni as "the best of the young centre-backs in Europe".

A deal for Guehi worth £35 million ($47.3m/€40m) - £30m up front and £5m more in add-ons - is being discussed with Palace, while it is thought a similar fee would be enough to sign Leoni. Inter are big admirers of the teenage Parma star but current financial restraints may prevent Cristian Chivu's side from making a move this summer.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate currently make up Arne Slot's first choice centre-back partnership at Anfield, with just Joe Gomez available as natural cover after Jarell Quansah moved to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the window. However, Gomez is currently injured, so further depth is being sought and it is not believed signing one of Guehi or Leoni would stop the other also arriving on Merseyside. The Reds have decided to enter club-to-club talks with Palace first because of their respect for the Eagles and co-owner and chairman Steve Parish, according to Ben Jacobs.

Liverpool lost their first competitive game of the season as they were downed by Palace in the Community Shield but will hope for a more positive start to their Premier League campaign when they host Bournemouth on Friday night.