LAST UPDATE | 14 Aug

LIVERPOOL HAVE AGREED a deal to sign Parma defender Giovanni Leoni.

It is understood the Reds will pay £26million (€30 million) plus add-ons for the 18-year-old.

Leoni is expected to undergo a medical on Thursday as head coach Arne Slot has moved to strengthen his options at centre-back.

He played most of pre-season with just two recognised specialists in the role – Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate – as Joe Gomez, who returned to training this week, was injured and Jarell Quansah was sold to Bayer Leverkusen.

Liverpool are still interested in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, who has a year left on his contract, but have so far been unable to agree a fee.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have agreed a fee for Aston Villa winger Jacob Ramsey.

The 24-year-old is due to travel to the north east for a medical after a deal in the region of £40 million (€46.5m) was agreed, the PA news agency understands.

The prospective sale of Ramsey, who has made 167 appearances at Villa Park, will represent pure profit for Villa, who are walking a Uefa financial fair play and PSR tightrope and need to sell.

If the medical goes without problem and personal terms are agreed in the next 24 hours, Ramsey could be a Newcastle player by the time they visit Villa Park for Saturday lunchtime’s Premier League opener.

Villa boss Unai Emery is not expected to see much, if any, of the financial proceeds as the club’s spending is under the close eye of Uefa after they were fined £9.5m (€11m) for breaching regulations.

They are keen on re-signing Paris St Germain midfielder Marco Asensio, who spent the second half of last season on loan.

Ramsey’s arrival at St James’ Park will boost spirits after a difficult transfer window for Eddie Howe’s side.

They have signed Anthony Elanga and Malick Thiaw, with Aaron Ramsdale arriving on loan, but missed out on Benjamin Sesko, who chose to join Manchester United instead.

The future of Alexander Isak also remains unclear following the Sweden international’s desire to join Liverpool.