Liverpool have ramped up their efforts to sign Parma defender Giovanni Leoni after suffering a setback in the pursuit of Marc Guehi.
With Jarell Quansah leaving for Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer and Joe Gomez currently sidelined, the Reds are down to just two fit senior central defenders ahead of their opening game of the new Premier League season against Bournemouth.
The pair being club captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
As a result, reinforcements in the defensive department is thought to be a priority for head coach Arne Slot before the summer transfer window closes.
However, their hopes of signing Guehi appear to have taken a hit with Sky Sports reporting the England international is likely to stay at Palace and leave on a free transfer next summer.
While Liverpool have held talks about signing the Palace captain, there is said to be a gap in valuation at the moment between the two clubs.
The Eagles are said to be demanding a fee in the region of £40million for Guehi, but the Premier League champions want to pay less than that having already spent around £270million this summer.
This stance has led to the Merseyside giants pressing ahead in negotiations with Parma for Leoni as Di Marzio claims the two clubs are working to strike an agreement for the defender.
It is claimed that Liverpool have tabled a bid of £26.7million (€31million) plus £3.4million (€4million) in bonuses for Leoni who made 17 appearances in Serie A last season for Parma.
