Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma for an initial £26m, but all Liverpool fans have been saying the same thing after the 18-year-old’s move was confirmed
Liverpool have announced the signing of Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma for an initial £26m.
The 18-year-old defender will experience Anfield for the first time tonight as he watches the Reds face Bournemouth in their Premier League opener. Leoni has signed a six-year deal with the reigning champions. The financial package begins at £26m with add-ons, but it is understood the total will not exceed £30m.
This appears to be particularly astute business by Liverpool given the glowing reviews for Leoni in Italy. He made his breakthrough with Parma last season and played 17 games in the second half of the season under manager Cristian Chivu.
Leoni’s relationship with Chivu meant there was a real chance he could have ended up at Inter Milan, where Chivu is now at the helm. Liverpool managed to fend off competition from Inter and their city rivals AC Milan, while there was also interest closer to home.
Liverpool announced the signing on social media, but fans immediately took to the comments to demand another signing in the shape of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, who has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield after making it clear he wants to leave the north east.
One user wrote: “Isak is next.” A second said: “Good stuff. Defence is fine now. Just GET ISAK! A MUST. Whatever it takes.” A third added: “Now get Isak!”
Ironically, Newcastle had an unsuccessful bid for the defender, with Eddie Howe being a big fan. However, Liverpool convinced the player that Anfield is the best place for his development and offered a clear path to first-team football.
That’s also why there was no chance of the Reds agreeing to a request from Parma to loan him back this season. Arne Slot wants defensive depth after the departure of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen left them short at the back.
Leoni is prepared to step in when required this season, with cup competitions likely to offer him first-team action, as well as the Champions League depending on the draw. Liverpool are confident that he would be ready for Premier League action should they face multiple injuries, given his experience handling physically imposing strikers like Romelu Lukaku in Serie A.
They view him as a present and future asset after unsuccessful attempts to sign a young centre-back over the past two years. Liverpool had their sights set on Levi Colwill, but he chose to stay at Chelsea, while Leny Yoro joined Manchester United last summer and Dean Huijsen moved to Real Madrid in this window.
However, the Reds have now secured one of Italian football’s most promising young talents.
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With captain Virgil van Dijk now 34 and having signed a new two-year contract which will see him through to 36, succession planning is underway. The Reds are also attempting to get Ibrahima Konate to sign a new deal, with Real Madrid lurking due to only 12 months remaining on his current contract.
Discussions with Crystal Palace will continue over the coming days as they aim to finalise a deal before the transfer window shuts.
Palace chairman Steve Parish would be hesitant to sell, despite Guehi’s desire to move to Anfield and the risk of him leaving for free next summer. Liverpool won’t exceed their valuation and can afford to wait 12 months to secure the England international without a fee, now that they’ve secured Leoni.
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