“Deal reached” – Arne Slot provides Leoni and Guehi transfer updates before Bournemouth match
Arne Slot was ready for transfer questions the moment he stepped into the AXA Training Centre media room on Thursday morning.
Liverpool have opened talks with Crystal Palace over a potential £35m move for Marc Guehi (The Times), with the defender reportedly keen to join the Premier League champions, fresh from facing them in the Community Shield last weekend.
Negotiations for Giovanni Leoni are far more advanced. Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday night (via X) that a €35m (£30.1m) agreement has been reached with Parma for the 18-year-old, who is expected to arrive on Merseyside today for a medical.
Slot on Leoni and Guehi deals
Speaking in his pre-Bournemouth press conference, Slot was unusually open about Leoni’s situation, confirming: “The clubs have agreed a deal, but he hasn’t signed yet. Once he does, I can share more details.”
On Guehi, however, he was more guarded: “He’s not our player and was captain of the team that beat us last Sunday. If you want to talk about him, ask Palace and Oliver Glasner.”
Slot’s frankness about Leoni suggests the Italian’s arrival is imminent – a welcome boost for a squad with only three fit centre-backs, including Joe Gomez, who has only just returned from an Achilles injury.
Leoni’s signing won’t just add depth; former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi has called the teenager a “great coup” with the potential to excel at the highest level. His arrival effectively offsets Jarell Quansah’s £30m departure to Bayer Leverkusen, and Liverpool will hope to wrap up a deal for Guehi before the 1 September deadline.
