Liverpool FC is close to securing the signing of highly-rated 18-year-old Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma, with an agreed fee believed to be an initial £26 million that could rise towards €35 million. The deal is expected to be finalized within days, allowing Leoni to join Liverpool’s first-team defensive line that currently includes Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez.
Standing 6ft 5in tall, Leoni made 17 appearances in Serie A last season and is considered one of the brightest defensive prospects in Europe. Liverpool has been tracking him for months, viewing him as a long-term successor to van Dijk. Both van Dijk and head coach Arne Slot have identified central defense as an urgent area for reinforcement following the recent Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace.
Liverpool and Parma are reportedly finalizing payment terms, aiming to complete the transfer quickly so Leoni can travel to Merseyside for medicals. Unlike many young signings, there was never talk of a loan spell for Leoni; he is expected to slot straight into the senior squad. This transfer also comes after Jarell Quansah’s £35 million move to Bayer Leverkusen, which has reduced Liverpool’s defensive depth amid injuries and fitness concerns for Gomez and Konaté.
Other clubs such as Milan, Inter, and Juventus showed interest in Leoni but did not meet Parma’s price demands. Liverpool's offer is reportedly the most competitive, and there is also potential for the club to sign Crystal Palace's Marc Guéhi to further strengthen the defense.
This signing aligns with Liverpool’s strategy of youthful investment and squad reinforcement ahead of the new season, emphasizing a data-driven scouting approach under the club’s sporting leadership. The addition of Leoni is seen as a vital step to solidify Liverpool’s backline for domestic and European competitions.
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