Liverpool have taken their summer spending past the £300m mark after completing the signing of Parma's 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni on a six-year contract.
The highly-rated Italy Under-19 international will cost an initial £26m plus add-ons and will go straight into Arne Slot’s squad to fill a gap which has seen the head coach operate in pre-season with just two fit centre-backs after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.
His signing is subject to international clearance and a work permit but he will be at Anfield for the Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
In 2023, after making his debut for Padova, Leoni said he was "inspired" by Virgil van Dijk and now he has a chance to learn from the Liverpool captain at close quarters.
Ibrahima Konate is Van Dijk’s established partner but Leoni will be vying with Joe Gomez, Liverpool’s longest-serving current player who has only just returned from injury, to challenge the France international.
"Because it’s one of the best clubs in the world it’s not possible to say no to this club," he told liverpoolfc.com.
"I’m very happy to be here. It’s a really great sensation and I’m honoured to be here.
"I’m so honoured. I was very happy (about Liverpool being interested). When I saw this I said, 'Wow, this is crazy.’."
Liverpool also remain interested in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, although discussions have stalled over a fee for a player in the final year of his contract.
Despite a significant outlay on eight players Liverpool have recouped almost £200m in sales following the departures of Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jarell Quansah, Caoihmhin Kelleher, Tyler Morton and Nat Phillips.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted another Reds transfer target – want-away striker Alexander Isak – will determine whether or not he plays for the club again.
The 25-year-old Sweden international will not be involved in Saturday's Premier League opener at Aston Villa after telling the club he wants to explore his options this summer, with Liverpool having had a £110m bid for the player rejected.
Head coach Howe, who believes Isak could yet be reintegrated back into the squad, has been diplomatic to date when asked about his star striker, but asked if he could see him playing for the Magpies before the end of the summer transfer window, he replied: "As I sit here now, I don’t know that. Alex will control that."
Howe’s tacit admission that the Swede is refusing to play - rather than having been banished to work alone - in an effort to force his way out of the club he joined in a £63m switch from Real Sociedad during the summer of 2022 leaves the two parties in a difficult position.
Isak has three years remaining on his contract at St James’ Park, and it is understood he will be fined – the maximum penalty for a single offence is two weeks’ wages – for missing a competitive match this weekend.
Reports have suggested Liverpool will submit a second offer – their initial bid was £40m shy of Newcastle’s valuation – but Howe is confident there is a way back for the player should no deal be struck.
He said: "Yes, I believe there is, but of course discussions and talks would have to take place in order for that to happen."
Asked if he expected Isak to still be a Newcastle player when the transfer window closes on 1 September, Howe replied: "Yes. At the moment I would, but I’ve got no change of feeling throughout the summer.
"It’s not in my hands, but he’s contracted to us, so that’s why I say that."
Isak’s stance had angered and disappointed fans who have seen him blossom to play a major role in last season’s Carabao Cup success and Champions League qualification, but Howe insisted the player is aware of what the club, its staff and his team-mates have done for him.
He said: "He’s a highly intelligent person and he knows he wouldn’t have the success here without everybody connected with Newcastle.
"This is a different moment for him and us, and we’re working through that together."
In the meantime, Howe and the club’s recruitment team will continue the search for new signings – Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey was close to completing a move on Friday morning while Brentford’s Yoane Wissa remains a target – although he admitted their options have been reduced after missing out on the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro.
He said: "Yes, we’ve been active for a few and for whatever reason, they haven’t happened, I can’t deny that, but we’re still actively looking and I still believe that there is someone there that can fit our requirements."
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler is "very, very, very confident" Carlos Baleba will remain at the club despite being linked with a move to Manchester United.
Forward trio Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have moved to Old Trafford this summer and it seems United are out to reinforce their midfield before the transfer window closes.
It has been reported that defensive midfielder Baleba fits the bill for United boss Ruben Amorim, but the Cameroonian, who joined Brighton from Lille in August 2023, still has three years remaining on his contract.
Hurzeler was bullish when asked whether Baleba will remain with the Seagulls this season, adding the 21-year-old is enjoying being at the club and has not been distracted by United's rumoured interest.
"Very, very, very confident (he will stay)," Hurzeler told a press conference ahead of Brighton’s Premier League curtain-raiser at home to Fulham on Saturday. "It’s just my belief.
"I didn’t see any change in him. He only changed his hair, that was the only change he made in the last two weeks!
"But overall, he seems to be in a really good place. He’s enjoying it with his team-mates. He’s enjoying being a Brighton player.
"He’s very grateful to have the progress he made in the last season. I didn’t see any big change. He is an option to start for tomorrow."
Enzo Maresca wants Chelsea to sign a centre-back to replace the injured Levi Colwill.
England international Colwill is set to miss most of the new season after suffering an ACL injury in training.
Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah are poised to start in central defence against Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener on Sunday.
But Blues boss Maresca is not convinced he can replace key man Colwill, 22, from within his current squad and has been linked with a move for Antonio Silva of Benfica.
"You know how important Levi has been for us last season, for the way we want to play," said Maresca.
"We said many times that we are able to create chances and to attack in the right way if we are able to build in the right way. Levi was a huge part of our build-up and now he's out.
"We are trying to find a solution internally, but the club know exactly what I think and we’ll see what happens.
"I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think.
"We have a fantastic squad. We are happy with the squad. we are, no doubt. But we said many times that when the transfer window is open, anything can happen."
