Liverpool have decided to \u2018speed up\u2019 their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur target Giovanni Leoni to \u2018avoid a bidding war\u2019, according to reports.<\/p>\n
The Reds have been very busy this summer, spending more than any other club in the world<\/a>.<\/p>\n Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike are among seven summer additions<\/a>, with the former joining for a club-record \u00a3100million fee.<\/p>\n Arne Slot\u2019s side are also interested in \u00a3150m-rated Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak<\/a>, who has reportedly ruled out playing for the Geordies again.<\/p>\n Signing a new centre-back has been a priority all summer for Liverpool<\/a>, and they are now closing in on the signing of two.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Isak would only be \u2018fraud\u2019, \u2018mercenary\u2019 and \u2018unprofessional\u2019 if he went on strike to leave Liverpool<\/a><\/p>\n According to Italian journalist\u00a0Orazio Accomando<\/a>, Liverpool\u2019s \u2018first survey\u2019 on Parma teenager Leoni was in \u2018early July\u2019, and the Premier League champions are hoping to steal a march on their transfer rivals after \u2018speeding up in the last few hours\u2019.<\/p>\n They have done so to \u2018avoid a bidding war that could allow Parma to raise the price further\u2019.<\/p>\n Accomando claims that Tottenham<\/a>, AC Milan and Inter have also been monitoring the 18-year-old Italian.<\/p>\n Milan are \u2018not willing\u2019 to meet Parma\u2019s asking price. The figure is not revealed in the X post, but Leoni\u2019s Transfermarkt value is \u00a315.5million.<\/p>\n Leoni joined Parma from Sampdoria last August and extended his contract to 2029 in February.<\/p>\n He is one of the highest-rated Italian youngsters and can also play right-back.<\/p>\n News of Liverpool\u2019s interest emerged amid reports of the Reds stepping up their interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi<\/a>.<\/p>\n