Reds reach ‘here we go’ stage for defender amid Konate links

Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal to sign centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma amid ongoing fears about an Ibrahima Konate’s future.

The Reds will begin their Premier League title defence on Friday against Bournemouth, and they enter that match as the division’s biggest spenders.

Head coach Arne Slot has focused on strengthening his side’s forward line, with additions like striker Hugo Ekitike and number 10 Florian Wirtz made this summer.

However, after the Merseysiders’ underwhelming display in the Community Shield against Crystal Palace, some fans were concerned about the team’s defensive depth.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has reported that Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Parma defender Leoni for a fee of £30.1m, and there is speculation that he could be seen as the heir to Konate, who has been linked to Real Madrid due to the fact he has just one year left on his contract.

Does Giovanni Leoni make sense as a Konate replacement amid Real Madrid links?

Konate performed excellently for Liverpool as his side’s right-sided centre-back last term, sweeping behind Trent Alexander-Arnold whenever the ball went past the right-back.

The Frenchman excels when defending the channel, with his pace, tenacity and aggression helping limit the danger opponents pose during counter-attacks.

Leoni may only be 18 years old, but the defender has shown that he can stand tall against Serie A’s best strikers having faced the likes of Romelu Lukaku.

The teenager’s aerial duel win percentage of 64.52% in 2024-25 was the best figure among centre-backs aged 20 or younger in Europe’s top-five leagues, and having won 59% of his ground duels last season, the 6ft 4in defender’s figure was only two percent lower than Konate’s.

Leoni has predominantly played on the right side of defence in his career, and if the club can ease him into the starting XI, then perhaps his acquisition would be sensible.

Are Liverpool facing a Virgil van Dijk crisis?

While Konate could leave the club next summer, Liverpool may also need to plan for life without captain Virgil van Dijk considering the Reds captain is 34 years old.

The Dutchman was arguably the best defender in the Premier League in 2024-25, and his influence in and out of possession was key to the team’s successful title charge.

Replacing Van Dijk with someone of similar quality would be nearly impossible, even if the club were to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.

Leoni and Guehi as a duo could help mitigate the potential decline of Van Dijk given the latter is excellent with the ball, while the former is a strong duellist.

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