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Liverpool is set to sign the Parma wonderkid Giovanni Leoni, an 18-year-old center-back, for around $35 million (£26 million). And there could be another couple of arrivals before the September 1 transfer deadline.
"It is a fair price [for Leoni]," Lorenzo Bettoni, the editor of Football Italia, told Liverpool.com. "It is a bit of a risk but it is a risk that Liverpool can take. It is a fee that no other Serie A clubs could afford, so generally, I'm not surprised that he picked Liverpool. No Italian side was ever close to that transfer fee."
Here is our verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. Two more players are on the agenda once the Leoni deal is officially confirmed.
Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Eddie Howe has admitted that wantaway striker Alexander Isak, for whom Liverpool has already seen one transfer offer turned down, negatively impacted morale among the rest of his Newcastle teammates earlier this summer.
"I don't think it's been healthy for us," Howe said, via the BBC. "I don't deny that's been a big challenge. Alex, for me, is one of the best strikers in the world — if not the best. To miss him from your squad leaves a huge gap."
Howe also admitted that the Isak situation meant "morale was certainly affected early on during pre-season".
"When you have a player that good who is not part of your group, it's difficult for the players to fully understand it and to know what's going on and how to react," he added.
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"But, as time has gone on, there has been an acceptance that this is the squad and we have got to make the best of the situation. That's always been my train of thought."
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle has not fined Isak for his conduct yet, but will begin to do so once he misses a competitive game. That will happen on Saturday when he will not be involved against Aston Villa.
Isak still wants to join Liverpool. Newcastle is still looking for a potential replacement. While it is close to signing Jacob Ramsey, Howe needs at least one striker to come through the door before the Magpies' stance on Isak can soften.
Liverpool.com says: If Isak told Newcastle that he wanted to leave before the season ended, he should probably have been allowed to go then, with as much time as possible then to source a replacement. Instead, the North East side has floundered in the market.
Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
Despite the imminent arrival of Leoni, Liverpool would still like to sign Marc Guehi. However, Sky Sports says it is still possible that the Crystal Palace captain could stay for another 12 months in South London.
Guehi, who is Crystal Palace's captain, is said to be happy to remain put for another year and take his side into the UEFA Conference League. He would then depart as a free agent in 2026.
Crystal Palace CEO Steve Parish said last weekend, though, that this was not an option. If Guehi doesn't sign a new contract, he wants to cash in now rather than lose a key asset for nothing.
"We'd have to do that, of course," Parish said. "For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it's a problem for us, unfortunately.
"Joachim [Andersen] went [to Fulham last summer] and we couldn't afford to lose both. We then had another bid [for Guehi] in January, but that was a different situation.
"We'll just have to see what happens. But, you know, it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind."
Liverpool.com says: Guehi would be a solid option at the right price. Paying over the odds, though Liverpool is in need of a center-back, would not be worthwhile, especially with Leoni arriving to lessen the urgency.
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