Liverpool manager Arne Slot has predicted a ‘harder than before’ Premier League season in 2025/26.Slot’s side begin their defence of the Premier League title at home to Bournemouth tomorrow

The 2025-26 Premier League season is almost upon us and there is so much intrigue as teams look to close the gap with reigning champions Liverpool.

Slot has consistently spoken about winning titles since he arrived last year, and he will maintain those standards, as will the experienced players in the squad including Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool have been looking for reinforcements in central defence since selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen last month, and although Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi remains very much in their sights, Leoni would provide extra cover in an area where the Reds are potentially light.

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).

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

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed a deal has been struck to sign 18-year-old centre back Giovanni Leoni from Parma. It emerged on Wednesday that Liverpool had agreed to pay €35 million (£30.2 million, $41 million) to sign Leoni after his breakout season at Parma, which yielded 17 Serie A appearances and one goal for good measure.

Arne Slot has confirmed that Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma.The 18-year-old looks set to join the Reds in a deal worth around £30m.Speaking ahead of