Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma, sources told ESPN. The 18-year-old had attracted interest from Serie A side Inter Milan but has now been given permission to have a medical with Liverpool and will fly to the UK on Thursday ahead of completing a move for an initial fee of £26 million ($35m).

Giovanni Leoni turned down two Premier League clubs ahead of opting to sign for Liverpool, it has been claimed.

Nevertheless, Jeremie Frimpong is a fine successor at Anfield, the Dutchman willing to barrel upfield without a second’s hesitation to help stretch defences. Milos Kerkez, even at 21 years of age, is a Premier League experienced left-back that should, in the long term, prove an upgrade on Andy Robertson.