£26m Liverpool signing to leave just one year after arriving

Liverpool have begun the process of overhauling their centre-back department and with good reason.

Ibrahima Konate, 26, looks set to leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the season. A little further down the line and Virgil van Dijk as well as Joe Gomez are out of contract in 2027.

It’s little wonder Richard Hughes put a plan in place to sign Jeremy Jacquet and Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Both will arrive in the off-season and Jacquet will be expected to step into the first-team picture straight away.

But these changes began in earnest last summer when Jarell Quansah left and Giovanni Leoni arrived.

Giovanni Leoni injured on debut

The Italian, 19, came on board from Parma for £26m but was injured on debut. He has been out since tearing his ACL versus Southampton in September and isn’t expected to be fit until the start of next term.

But right now it looks like Arne Slot will have the option of seeing the centre-back nursed back to full fitness while out on loan.

According to Corriere dello Sport Inter Milan coach Cristian Chivu - who was in charge of Leoni at Parma - wants a deal for the youngster.

Inter are about to undergo a dramatic overhaul of their central defensive department and Chivu would like Leoni to be part of it.

Chivu wants Leoni reunion

“A name that could resurface for the Viale della Liberazione club, labeled a transfer opportunity, is Giovanni Leoni, recovering from a serious knee injury,” the report reads.

“Inter will submit a request for information on the 2006-born player, whom Chivu favors, perhaps ready to take him on loan to provide the consistency he will need upon his return.”

Next season Liverpool will have Van Dijk and Jacquet as their senior options - with the futures of both Konate and Gomez in doubt.

We could see Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye come into the picture while a senior option may also be added in the transfer market.

Right now there are a lot of moving parts - and Leoni could be given the opportunity to head out on loan.

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