Report: Liverpool target Serie A wonderkid as CB solution | OneFootball

Centre-back Gap Needs Addressing

Liverpool’s summer rebuild continues, and following the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, attention has turned to shoring up the heart of defence. With just three senior centre-backs currently available, it’s clear the Reds can’t afford to walk into the new season under-resourced—especially with ambitions across four competitions.

While links to Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi have lingered, Crystal Palace’s rigid stance on a £45–50m fee has complicated negotiations. As Rousing the Kop notes, Guehi remains a long-term target but is increasingly viewed as a possible 2026 free signing. In the meantime, Liverpool appear to be shifting focus to younger, less expensive talents who can grow under the mentorship of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté.

Photo: IMAGO

Leoni’s Rise Catches Liverpool’s Eye

One such target is 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni, who impressed in his debut Serie A season for Parma. Having joined from Sampdoria in 2024, Leoni featured 17 times for Cristian Chivu’s side, helping them maintain top-flight status with a 16th-place finish. According to Rousing the Kop‘s Graeme Bailey, Liverpool are one of several top European clubs monitoring the teenager.

“I do believe he is one on Liverpool’s radar, they’ve seen him and have been impressed by him,” Bailey says. “But he’s got an awful lot of interest. There’s a lot of Premier League clubs who like this boy an awful lot.”

Leoni has been likened to Juventus’ Dean Huijsen for his composure, technical quality and versatility—a defender comfortable carrying the ball out and dictating play from the back. It’s precisely this profile that fits into Arne Slot’s modern, progressive system.

Can a Deal Be Done?

Despite interest, a transfer may not materialise this summer. Bailey adds, “I’m told that Parma want to keep him this summer. So whether he’s do-able, I’m not entirely convinced. From what I’m hearing he’s also not the sort of person who’d want to sit on the bench for a season, I think he’d rather stay at Parma for another year and play.”

Liverpool will need to weigh short-term needs against long-term planning. Signing a player reluctant to play second fiddle could backfire. But equally, missing out on a high-ceiling talent to rivals could be a mistake the club regrets.

Guehi Situation on Ice

The club’s interest in Guehi isn’t completely dead. However, unless Palace alter their valuation significantly, Liverpool will look elsewhere. As Bailey points out, Liverpool are actively assessing “plenty of other options”, with one centre-back signing expected before the season kicks off.

While supporters may hope for an immediate upgrade, the club’s scouting network continues to prioritise smart investment—an approach that may favour a high-potential name like Leoni over a big-money splash.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s point of view, this reported interest in Giovanni Leoni represents a fascinating twist in the club’s summer plans. The idea of signing a raw but technically gifted defender feels reminiscent of previous moves for Stefan Bajčetić or even a young Joe Gomez—talents brought in with long-term vision rather than instant impact.

Given the club’s decision to cash in on Jarell Quansah, many fans were expecting a seasoned replacement. But the reality is that Liverpool’s strategy has long been to unearth future gems before they explode in market value. Leoni, at 18 and already starting in Serie A, ticks that box.

That said, fans will understandably be cautious. Going into the new campaign with just three senior centre-backs and a teenager as cover is risky business, especially with Van Dijk now 33 and Konaté’s injury history. Unless Leoni is viewed as ready for 20–25 appearances this season, a more experienced name should still be brought in.

Marc Guehi remains the ideal fit in many supporters’ minds. He’s Premier League-proven, strong in the air and still just 24. But with Palace demanding £50m, many fans would prefer the club to wait until 2026 and spend smarter elsewhere.

Overall, Leoni might not be the headline name fans crave, but he represents the kind of proactive, future-focused signing that Liverpool have built their success on under Klopp—and now Slot. If he joins, fans will back the move, but they’ll also expect another, more seasoned name to follow.