Liverpool’s double transfer masterstroke could save £37m as plan grows clearer

Liverpool have been linked with Parma teenager Giovanni Leoni, who could solve a transfer conundrum and save tens of millions in the process for the reigning Premier League championsGiovanni Leoni has been linked with Liverpool(Image: Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up teenage defender Giovanni Leoni in a move that could save the club millions in the transfer market.The Premier League champions have already bagged several big signings, but the squad is lacking depth at centre back. The Reds have sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, leaving Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez as their trio of options at the heart of defence.Arne Slot will be keen to compete on multiple fronts next season and a fresh centre-back could help mix things up when needed. Liverpool have already watched former target Dean Huijsen make the switch to Real Madrid from Bournemouth for a cool £50million this summer.Meanwhile, it would reportedly cost about the same to lure Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi to Anfield. However, it’s been suggested that Liverpool have their sights set on Parma youngster Leoni, who has a much smaller price tag.TalkSPORT reports suggest that Liverpool are among at least 10 Premier League clubs to have asked about Leoni’s availability. The 18-year-old was snapped up from Sampdoria last summer and made 17 league appearances in Serie A during his breakout season for Cristian Chivu’s team.Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are named as two of the clubs that could potentially give Liverpool a run for their money in the race for Leoni’s signature. Meanwhile, Inter Milan, now managed by Chivu, are also said to be interested and it’s hinted that Leoni would rather stay put in Italy.Italian publication Corriere dello Sport has previously claimed that Leoni’s price tag is around £13m (€15m). It’s doubtful that the Parma prospect would immediately shake up Konate and Van Dijk’s partnership, but he would be a much more cost-effective option than Guehi. Training with the Liverpool squad could also pave the way for Leoni’s gradual rise to the starting XI, with one eye on Konate’s 2026 contract expiry.Guehi helped Crystal Palace win the FA Cup last season(Image: Justin Setterfield – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)Snapping up Leoni would ease the pressure on Liverpool to splash out on another defensive signing, having already brought in full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. The Reds are reportedly leading the race to sign Palace ace Guehi and continue their summer shopping spree, which already includes a move for Florian Wirtz worth up to £116m.Palace initially slapped a £70m price tag on Guehi last year but have since dropped it to £50m as the England international enters the final year of his contract. Newcastle are said to be keeping tabs on the defender’s situation but haven’t made a new approach yet.If Guehi doesn’t make a summer switch, he could see out his contract this season, giving Liverpool the opportunity to sign him as a free agent next year. Palace have failed to strike a new deal with the 24-year-old.Leoni is claimed to have attracted interest from at least 10 Premier League clubs(Image: Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images)The potential double whammy of landing Leoni and securing Guehi as a free agent would see Liverpool bag two defenders for £13m over two summers. That would see Slot’s side save £37m when compared to the fee that Real forked out for Huijsen.Despite his limited experience, Leoni did shine when given the chance last season. His manager lauded him for his role in Parma’s victory over Juventus in April, though Chivu conceded that the defender was still a diamond in the rough.”Leoni, like the whole team, must keep his feet on the ground and continue to work,” Chivu said. “Today he played a great game, he doesn’t seem so young, but he has significant room for improvement. He deserves the compliments and the MVP award but I have to be the coach and I will also point out the mistakes he made.”