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).

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.

The Athletic previously reported that Liverpool were interested in Leoni and were trying to persuade him to move to Anfield.