Liverpool are still keeping tabs on Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni, according to reports in Italy.

The Reds were linked with a move for the teenager earlier this month and Gazzetta Dello Sport now also claim that the Merseysiders are keen on him, along with Inter Milan.

Parma are said to be holding out for €40m (£34m), and Inter are willing to go as high as €30m (£25m) with the hope being that Leoni’s club will back down.

However, there are concerns about potential competition from Liverpool. While Gazzetta say Arne Slot’s side have yet to make a “concrete offer”, they are attentive to the situation.

What do fans need to know about Leoni?

The 18-year-old has only played 33 senior matches in his career so far but he has played for three different clubs already.

Leoni started life in the academy of Padova. After making his first-team debut, he left to join Sampdoria (initially on loan). The club took up their €1.5m option to buy the defender in July 2024.

Within a couple of months, the centre-half had joined Parma. He made 17 Serie A appearances last campaign.

Liverpool are still in the market for a centre-back

It was reported last month that the Reds were looking to replace Jarell Quansah, who they sold to Bayer Leverkusen. Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi was regarded as the standout candidate to come in.

However, since then, sporting director Richard Hughes has switched focus to bring in a striker, and negotiations are ongoing with Eintracht Frankfurt about a deal for Hugo Ekitike.

Reinforcing the centre of defence still remains on the agenda, and if a deal for Guehi proves to be too expensive, an approach for a younger player is expected to be made. Leoni is clearly one of the names under consideration.

In other news, Bayern Munich have a “preferred” target as they consider moves for Liverpool and Arsenal stars