Chief executive certain Liverpool have already signed the 'next' Virgil van Dijk

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Liverpool unveil new signing Giovanni Leoni at AXA Training Centre on August 15, 2025 in Kirkby, England(Image: Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool have landed Virgil van Dijk's successor this summer following the arrival of Giovanni Leoni.

That is the verdict of Martin Semmens, the executive who helped bring the hotly-tipped teenager to Parma last year and helped sanction the sale of the veteran Dutchman to the Reds.

Liverpool saw off rival interest to secure Leoni in a transfer valued at £26m plus additional clauses.



They are confident they have recruited one of Europe's most promising young defenders.

Semmens held similar faith in the youngster's abilities when he approved his move from Sampdoria to Parma 12 months earlier.

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The former Southampton chief executive served as CEO of Krause Group Soccer, Parma's ownership group, until this summer, reports Liverpool.com.

Semmens, who was at Southampton when Liverpool paid a then club-record £75m fee for Van Dijk, assumed a comparable position with London City Lionesses last month and expressed his respect for Leoni during a recent interview.

When questioned on talkSPORT whether the new Liverpool centre-back represents the "heir" to the club captain, he responded: "Yeah, absolutely for me.

"We signed him the second year I was there in the summer, and I have a deep love for the likes of Tino Livramento (for Southampton) and signing these young players.

Romeo Lavia: This was the same kind of deal.

"I think it was clearly the best young centre-back in Italy, if not Europe.

Top player."

Newcastle United were understood to be among the group of interested clubs with Parma CEO Federico Cherubini admitting: "We rejected a higher offer from Newcastle for Leoni.

"But plans have changed with Liverpool.

I've always said the club wanted to keep Giovanni, and he's always said he'd be happy to stay.

"We even turned down an offer from Newcastle, which was more advantageous than the one Liverpool eventually made.

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"When the Reds came forward, our plans changed: both because the offer was very attractive and because Giovanni made it clear he was very happy to take advantage of this opportunity."