Liverpool transfer news: Arne Slot '24 hours from deal' amid Isak stand-off

Liverpool are yet to return with a second offer for Alexander Isak after Newcastle rejected a bid of £120million - but the Reds are getting on with other business instead

Liverpool have been extremely busy in the summer transfer window and are showing no signs of slowing down.

Arne Slot's side have splashed over £300million to sign Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Armin Pesci and Freddie Woodman. They have seen a £120m bid rejected by Newcastle for Alexander Isak, but the saga continues to rumble on.

Isak is still desperately holding out for his dream move to Anfield and is refusing to play for the Magpies. But for now he is not the priority for Liverpool, who have their eye on signing two defenders.

Both Slot and Virgil van Dijk identified the defence as the weakest aspect of the side after their defeat on penalties by Crystal Palace in the Community Shield. And the club has wasted no time in acting upon those worries. Here are the latest transfer news stories.

Reds wrapping up Leoni deal

Liverpool have wasted no time in pursuing Parma defender Giovanni Leoni and could have a deal wrapped up within 24 hours, according to talkSPORT. Mirror Football reported on Tuesday that the Reds wanted to sign Leoni and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. And they have raced through negotiations and will sign the Italian for a fee in the region of £30million.

The 18-year-old centre-back is under contract with Parma until June 2029 but is keen to move to Anfield. Liverpool have received a glowing endorsement from Arrigo Sacchi.

“We'll see if the deal goes through, but in any case, I'd say the Reds would be making a great move by signing this young man, whom I followed with interest and curiosity in the second half of last season,” the legendary manager wrote in Gazzetta Dello Sport. “I'm convinced he'll be the lynchpin of the Azzurri defence for a long time.”

Glasner’s Guehi stance

Liverpool have also opened talks to sign Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi after facing them in the Community Shield. The England star’s contract expires next summer, leaving Palace in a difficult position.

Nevertheless, the Guardian have reported that manager Oliver Glasner wants Guehi to stay for another season at Palace, even if that means losing him for free next summer.

Liverpool are attempting to land him for a fee between £30m and £35m, but Guehi is happy to stay put if his side's £40m valuation isn't met.

Liverpool to keep Konate

The summer at Liverpool started with reports of Ibrahima Konate’s unhappiness after the club offered him a new contract. Konate was reportedly upset with the offer, which did not value him as highly as others in the squad.

He has been linked with Real Madrid frequently, but Liverpool have pushed back on those reports. The Reds sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the window while Nat Phillips also departed for West Brom, leaving Joe Gomez as the most senior back up to Konate and Van Dijk, but he is currently injured.

Despite signing Leoni and Guehi, Liverpool want to keep Konate, who they see as crucial to their chances of defending their Premier League title.