Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Ibrahim Mbaye development, Ezri Konsa latest and Leoni admission

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SportFootballLiverpool FC transfer newsLIVEUpdated 3 mins agoLiverpool boss Andoni Iraola is building towards more business this summer amid fresh developments regarding Ibrahim Mbaye and Ezri KonsaIbrahim Mbaye's pathway to Liverpool has opened up dramatically(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)Liverpool look ready to dip their toes back into the transfer waters this summer after a long pause in their business.The Reds moved early to secure the signings of Jeremy Jacquet, whose move was agreed in February, and Victor Munoz already this summer.However, a long break between incomings could be set to reach its conclusion following new developments in the hunt for Ibrahim Mbaye. The Reds are also still in pursuit of his Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Bradley Barcola but will find that a more difficult coup to pull off.There's also fresh word on the future of Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa as Iraola looks to reshape his defence.

Those plans look certain to include Giovanni Leoni, who has had a fan in Iraola longer than many might be aware.The ECHO investigates all that and more, providing you with all the latest transfer happenings around Anfield throughout the day.‌Today07:56 BSTReds behind Arsenal in Konsa raceLiverpool are reportedly behind Premier League rivals Arsenal in the hunt to sign Ezri Konsa.Much has been made of the fact Liverpool look particularly light on numbers in defence this summer.However, any hopes of recruiting Aston Villa and England star Konsa are dimmed by the hovering figure of Mikel Arteta's side.Fabrizio Romano appeared on GiveMeSport's Market Madness podcast recently and said: "On some of the names you ask me: on Konsa, I'm told there is more interest from Arsenal than Liverpool at this stage, but let's see."[There is] Still [a] long [time to go]. I think both clubs will be keen on defenders, so there will be movements from now [until] the end of the window."Villa are reportedly demanding afee in excess of £50million if they're to sell Konsa, which seems exorbitant for a 28-year-old.However, Liverpool find themselves in need of options (and hopefully some experience) after Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson's departures, with Virgil van Dijk the only fit, senior centre-back available right now.(Image: Getty Images)Today07:56 BSTIraola's Leoni coup attemptAmong the batch of new signings arriving at Anfield this summer, Giovanni Leoni will almost feel like a new purchase himself.The Italian joined from Parma in a £26million move last summer but suffered a season-ending ACL injury in his League Cup debut against Southampton.And Andoni Iraola looks certain to utilise the 19-year-old upon his return to fitness in the near future.The Athletic recently reported Iraola attempted to sign Leoni for Bournemouth but was beaten to the punch by Liverpool.That bodes extremely well for the centre-back's development under the new coach, who is desperately piecing together a new-look defence at Anfield.Giovanni Leoni has suffered an ACL injury at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images))Today07:54 BSTMbaye domino effectIbrahim Mbaye's proposed move to Liverpool could be expedited in the wake of PSG's latest signing.Senegal international Mbaye has been tipped for a move to Anfield, either instead of or in addition to team-mate Bradley Barcola.Mbaye, 18, is by far the more easily affordable of the two and is expected to cost somewhere in the region of £35million, almost £100m less than some of the figures being associated with Barcola.And Mbaye's route to England has been simplified now that PSG have officially signed Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco.Akliouche, another name linked with the Reds prior to his £42.8m move to Paris, can play in very similar roles to Mbaye.And that opens up the exit door for Mbaye to leave the Parc des Princes provided Liverpool can come to an agreement over price.Ibrahim Mbaye of PSG celebrates UEFA Champions League title with their supporters at the Parc des Princes in Paris(Image: 2026 Anadolu)