LIVERPOOL TRANSFER NEWS LIVE planning to sign both Marc Guehi and Giovanni Leoni

Liverpool are advancing over deals for Crystal Palace‘s Marc Guehi and Parma’s Giovanni Leoni, according to reports, with plans to sign both centre-backs.

With Joe Gomez currently injured and Ibrahima Konate facing an uncertain future, Liverpool are moving to bring in two new centre-backs before the transfer window closes.

This Is Anfield learned on Tuesday that the champions were exploring a move for Parma youngster Leoni, but were cautious over whether they could persuade the teenager to leave Italy.

Now the situation appears more advanced, with transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming on X that his compatriot “never needed any convincing.”

Leoni, he claims, has already given Liverpool his approval with club-to-club contact the next step – and Corriere dello Sport report that Parma are seeking €30 million (£25.9m) with a further €5 million (£4.3m) in add-ons.

While it has been suggested that the 18-year-old could then be loaned back to Parma for the season, Romano explains that that was never on the table and he would be an immediate first-team option.

The Italy youth international may still be viewed as more one for the future, while Guehi is clearly a contender for a starting spot.

It was widely reported on Tuesday afternoon that Liverpool had made direct contact with Crystal Palace over a deal for their captain, though suggestions personal terms had already been agreed were dismissed.

The Athletic’s James Pearce was among those to write on X that this was out of respect for Palace chairman Steve Parish, with an agreement first required with the London club.

Liverpool are expected to agree a deal worth £30 million plus £5 million for the 25-year-old, who could challenge Konate for his place next to Virgil van Dijk in the starting lineup.

Clearly Leoni and Guehi are two centre-backs at different stages in their careers, and there is no indication it is a case of one or the other for Liverpool this summer.

Instead the club are planning to sign both players if possible, strengthening their defensive ranks significantly as well as future-proofing the squad for years to come.

Liverpool can fit Guehi and Leoni into the squad

Crucially, Liverpool would not face registration issues even if they were to strike deals for Guehi and Leoni, as the former would be classed as homegrown in the Premier League while the latter would be an U21 player.

If Leoni were to join this summer and spend the next three years registered to sides in England or Wales he would then qualify as homegrown from 2028/29.

Guehi would also count as association-trained in the Champions League, though Leoni would need to be registered as one of 17 foreign players in the senior squad.

Giovanni