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Liverpool has confirmed the signing of defender Giovanni Leoni, with the Reds having secured one of the most sought-after young players in Europe at the moment.
The 18-year-old makes the move to Anfield after a deal was agreed with Parma earlier this week, with Leoni having undergone his medical on Thursday on Merseyside.
Leoni is expected to immediately join the first-team setup under Arne Slot, although he will be unavailable for Friday's Premier League opener against Bournemouth, with the Reds having missed the 12pm deadline on Thursday to get his signing over the line.Liverpool's acquisition of Leoni, who has been receiving high praise in Italy, appears to be a particularly astute move.
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Given Leoni's relationship with Chivu, there was a real chance he could have ended up at Inter Milan, where Chivu is now at the helm.
However, Liverpool managed to fend off competition from Inter and their city rivals AC Milan, as well as interest from closer to home.
Giovanni Leoni, 18, has joined Liverpool on a six-year contract.
Liverpool had their sights set on Levi Colwill, but he remained at Chelsea, while Leny Yoro chose Manchester United last summer and Dean Huijsen made a move to Real Madrid in this window.
However, the Reds have now secured one of Italian football's most promising young talents
There is ongoing succession planning, with captain Virgil van Dijk now 34 and having inked a new two-year contract that will see him through to 36.
The Reds are also working on getting Ibrahima Konate to sign a new deal, while Real Madrid lurk in the background with just 12 months remaining on his current contract
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