Liverpool are finalising agreement on a £26million deal for Parma defender Giovanni Leoni.
The Reds will pay further add-ons for the 18-year old on performances plus a sell-on percentage.
Daily Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that the Premier League champions had stepped up their interest in the defender.
The deal is unconnected to Liverpool's pursuit of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for a similar fee.
The Italy Under-19 star has only played 17 times in Serie A but the Reds transfer department are understood to like Leoni a lot and are ready to pursue a move to sign him.