With the season in full swing and squad depth under the spotlight, Liverpool are wasting no time in strengthening their back line.
The Premier League champions are holding direct talks with Crystal Palace over their captain, Marc Guehi, while also keeping a close eye on teenage Italian prospect Giovanni Leoni from Parma.
Filling the Gap Left by Quansah’s Exit
Liverpool’s urgency stems from recent changes at the back.
Jarell Quansah has just completed a £35 million move to Bayer Leverkusen, and Joe Gomez has struggled to stay fit over the past year.
That leaves Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate without a reliable back-up — a gap the Reds are determined to fill before the transfer window closes.
Guehi Talks Back on the Table
Liverpool have admired Guehi for some time. Back in June, talks stalled because the clubs couldn’t agree on a price.
Palace were holding out for £45 million despite the England international having just a year left on his contract, while Liverpool weren’t willing to go that high.
Now, both sides believe a deal closer to £35 million is possible.
Palace’s Position Weaker Than Before
Last season, Palace rejected offers as high as £65 million for Guehi from Newcastle.
But with his contract running down and the club already exploring a £40 million move for Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande, their bargaining power isn’t what it once was.
Palace chairman Steve Parish has admitted that if Liverpool put the right money on the table, a sale would be hard to refuse.
Community Shield Captain and FA Cup Winner
Guehi’s leadership credentials are clear — he captained Palace to FA Cup glory last season and helped them beat Liverpool in the Community Shield just days ago.
But unless he signs a new deal, Selhurst Park could see their skipper depart before the season ends.
Chelsea Watching but Not Moving
Chelsea, who have a history with Guehi, are not currently in the race despite injuries to Levi Colwill.
Their focus is elsewhere — particularly on signing Xavi Simons from Leipzig and Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United — although they still hold interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie.
Leoni: The Rising Star on Liverpool’s Radar
Away from Guehi, Liverpool are also tracking Giovanni Leoni, an 18-year-old defender making waves in Serie A.
Standing at 6ft 5in and comfortable with the ball at his feet, Leoni has played just 17 league games but has already caught the attention of Liverpool’s recruitment team.
Parma value him at around £35 million, and the Reds are ready to see if they can lure him away from Italy.
Building for the Future
Leoni fits the profile Liverpool have been chasing — a young, talented centre-back who could one day succeed Van Dijk.
They’ve pursued similar prospects before, including Lenny Yoro, Jorrel Hato, and Dean Huijsen, but missed out. This time, they’re determined to get their man.
