Liverpool have been linked with Parma starlet Giovanni Leoni, who could prove to be a bargain signing and solve a key problem in Arne Slot’s Premier League-winning squad
Liverpool are reportedly interested in teenage defender Giovanni Leoni, who could save the club millions in the transfer market. The Premier League champions have already made several high-profile signings, but are arguably short of options at centre-back.
The club have sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, leaving Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez as their three options in the heart of defence. Manager Arne Slot will want to compete across multiple competitions next season and a new centre-back could help rotate the team when required.
The Reds have already seen former transfer target Dean Huijsen join Real Madrid from Bournemouth for £50million this summer. At the same time, it would reportedly cost a similar amount to bring Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi to Anfield. However, it has been claimed that Liverpool are interested in Parma teenager Leoni, who would cost a fraction of the price.
Reports from talkSPORT suggest that Liverpool are one of at least 10 Premier League clubs to have enquired about 18-year-old defender Leoni’s availability. He was signed from Sampdoria last summer and made 17 league appearances in Serie A during his breakout season for Cristian Chivu’s side.
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur could potentially rival Liverpool in the battle for Leoni’s signature. Meanwhile, Inter Milan, who are now coached by Chivu, are also said to be among the interested clubs and it is suggested that Leoni would prefer to stay in Italy.
Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport has previously suggested that Leoni is valued at around £13m (€15m). It is unlikely that the Parma starlet would immediately challenge Konate and Van Dijk’s partnership, but he remains a significantly cheaper option than Guehi. Leoni could benefit from training alongside the Liverpool squad as part of a long-term path to the first team.
A move for Leoni would lessen the pressure on Liverpool to spend big on another defensive signing, having already recruited full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Liverpool are reportedly in pole position to sign Palace star Guehi and continue their summer spending spree, which has included a deal for Florian Wirtz that could be worth up to £116m.
Palace previously valued Guehi at £70m but have since reduced the price to £50m as the England international enters the last year of his contract. Newcastle are claimed to still be monitoring the defender’s situation but have yet to make a fresh approach.
If no summer move materialises, Guehi could run down his contract this season, giving Liverpool the chance to sign him as a free agent next year. Palace have been unable to agree fresh terms with the 24-year-old.
The combination of a potential deal for Leoni and snapping up Guehi as a free agent would see Liverpool sign two defenders for £13m across two summers. That would be £37m less than Real Madrid paid Bournemouth for Huijsen.
Despite his limited first team experience, Leoni impressed when called upon last season. He earned praise from his manager after helping Parma defeat Juventus in April, though Chivu admitted that the defender was a work in progress.
“Leoni, like the whole team, must keep his feet on the ground and continue to work,” Chivu said. “Today he played a great game, he doesn’t seem so young, but he has significant room for improvement. He deserves the compliments and the MVP award but I have to be the coach and I will also point out the mistakes he made.”
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