Liverpool beat Newcastle United to transfer target again after £79m move

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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe and Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Parma turned down a better offer from Newcastle United for Giovanni Leoni this summer before allowing the defender to realise his dream of a move to Liverpool.

Leoni switched to Anfield last month when completing a £26million transfer from the Italian side as part of a major recruitment drive under Arne Slot.

The 18-year-old emerged as one of the most highly-valued young centre-backs in Europe after an impressive campaign in Serie A with Parma, who were reluctant to part with the youngster.

But the club's chief executive Federico Cherubini has revealed Leoni's desire to move to the Premier League champions ultimately proved decisive despite the interest from Newcastle.

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"I've always said we wanted to keep him, and he's always said he'd be happy to stay here," said Cherubini to Gazzetta Di Parma.

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

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

"On the one hand, it's disappointing to lose such a promising young player, but on the other, we're proud to have believed in him in unsuspecting times, when he'd only played a few games in Serie B."

It was the second time during the summer Newcastle missed out on a transfer target to Liverpool, who snapped up Hugo Ekitike ahead of the Magpies for a potential £79m from Eintracht Frankfurt in July.

Leoni is with Italy preparing for their World Cup qualifiers at home to Estonia on Friday and against Israel in Hungary on Monday.

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And explaining the youngster's first call-up to the senior squad, Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso pointed to a performance by Leoni up against Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku last season.

“When I see a player, there’s something that has to strike me," he said.

"I think they’re young, but they have nerve and already play like adults.

“Leoni played openly with Lukaku last year, and for me, they’re ready.