Liverpool can take leaf out of Arsenal book to negotiate tricky £34m transfer

Liverpool could look to strike a cut-price deal for Giovanni Leoni as part of their spending spree. Arne Slot's side have splashed the cash on a host of new signings over the past few months, and the higher powers at the club have now turned their attention to bringing in defensive reinforcements.

The Reds have already shaken up their backline with the additions of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, but at least one more centre-back is expected to arrive on Merseyside before the transfer window slams shut.

Several options are being considered at Anfield, with Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi identified as a top target. The England international has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Selhurst Park and, although he is happy to play out his deal, The Athletic report that the Reds have stepped up their pursuit and opened talks with Palace over a deal for their skipper.

Guehi would arrive at Liverpool to battle it out with Ibrahima Konate for a starting spot alongside Virgil van Dijk, with Joe Gomez falling down the pecking order and slotting in as fourth-choice behind the aforementioned trio.

Parma's Leoni is also very highly regarded by the Reds and a move is being considered for the teenage defender, and thus there is a world in which Guehi and the 18-year-old complete moves to the Premier League title holders.

However, Liverpool could look to take a leaf out of Arsenal's book by trying to negotiate a deal with Parma which would see Leoni loaned back to the Italian outfit. With four centre-backs - if Guehi arrives - on their books and Wataru Endo capable as a makeshift defender, the Reds may not be in any immediate need to integrate Leoni into their ranks.

Arsenal deployed a similar negotiating tactic when signing William Saliba from Saint-Etienne in 2019, with a loan deal back to the French side allowing them to reduce the fees involved in the transfer and also ensure the defender's progress could continue to accelerate.

If Liverpool were able to replicate the style of deal, Parma may be more obliged on their £34million asking price for Leoni, and it would also give them a greater reason to sell to the Reds given that top clubs around Europe also have the teenage sensation on their radar as well.