Liverpool have announced the signing of 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma.

The young Italian joins the Reds in a deal worth £26million and has penned a six-year contract, which will keep him at Anfield until the summer of 2031.

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Leoni is highly-rated across Europe and Liverpool acted quickly to win the race to sign himCredit: Liverpool FC

The Reds were reported to be eyeing a double defensive signing, with exploratory talks also held over a swoop for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.

Liverpool agree £26million plus add-ons deal for 6ft 4in teenage wonderkid	Data reveals why Liverpool paid £26million to sign Giovanni Leoni	Liverpool turn to Marc Guehi in pursuit of defensive reinforcements

However, the Premier League champions view Leoni as an elite-level defender who will immediately join their first-team roster as one of four centre-back options.

Liverpool say the teen fulfils their need for depth in that position, although they remain active if a market opportunity presents itself late in the window.

Guehi has entered the final year of his contract with Palace and could leave Selhurt Park as a free agent next summer.

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The capture of Leoni is a bit of a coup for Arne Slot, with all of the top clubs in Serie A registering their interest in the teen.

Newcastle were also long-term admirers, with the Magpies tabling a formal bid to Parma for his signature.

But that approach was turned down by the player when Liverpool made their interest known.

Following the high-profile arrivals of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, Slot and the club's recruitment team were then focused on bringing a new centre-back.

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The Reds were left light in options at the back after the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer, plus the departure of Nat Phillips to West Brom.

But they have now found a replacement in Leoni, who is expected to be named in the next senior Italy squad and is set to play regular Premier League football this season.

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Leoni is the next one through the door at Anfield as Slot continues his summer squad overhaul

Leoni was under contract with Parma until 2029, but Slot was keen to act quickly to land him given the number of clubs also keen and made no secret of his desire to acquire a defender before the window closes.

Prior to Sunday's Community Shield defeat to Palace, he said: "We have more than enough options [in that area], but if we see a chance in the market, we will not hesitate to act."

In total, Liverpool have spent a massive £265.2m on Frimpong, Ekitike, Wirtz, Kerkez, and Georgia No.1 Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The club have also brought in another two goalkeepers in Hungarian youngster Armin Pecsi, and former Preston North End No.1 Freddie Woodman.

There's a chance there could be more arrivals, too, with Alexander Isak trying to force an Anfield move.

Newcastle rejected a £110m offer from Liverpool last month for the Swede, who has now told the club he won't play for them again.

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The champions have already had a very busy summer

The 18-year-old centre-back would already become one of Liverpool's tallest players despite his tender age at around 6"4'.

He is the same height as Virgil van Dijk and Rhys Williams, and just two inches below their tallest player, goalkeeper Mamardashvili.

He previously played under Italy legend Andrea Pirlo at Sampdoria, before signing for Parma, and Pirlo has no doubts over his ability.

Following Leoni's Parma debut, Pirlo said: "I am very happy for him.

"We are dealing with a fantastic boy, and I was sure he would make it to Serie A.

He deserves it."

During Leoni's spell under him last March, Pirlo explained: "If someone had doubts about starting him from the first minute, I had none.

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Leoni has sealed a move to Liverpool after just one season in Serie ACredit: Getty

"I see him every day in training.

He played as a mature youngster; he will become a strong footballer."

Leoni, who made 17 appearances in Serie A last season, will relish the opportunity to play alongside his footballing idol, Van Dijk.

The teenager also named former Manchester United and Roma defender Chris Smalling as another inspiration for his playstyle.

"I take inspiration from van Dijk and Smalling," Leoni said when discussing his footballing influences during his time at Padova.

Liverpool have never been close to failing the Premier League's profit and sustainability regulations, and the frugal outlays in recent years have proved particularly beneficial this summer.

Last season was the club's first full campaign with an expanded Anfield Road End - thus a higher capacity at 61,000-plus fans, and greater matchday revenue.

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Liverpool have also begun their new lucrative kit deal with Adidas, which has been valued more than their old partnership with Nike.

Those factors, alongside that careful approach to transfers, are paying dividends now, as per finance expert Kieran Maguire.

“Liverpool are in an incredibly strong position,” he told talkSPORT.

"First of all, in terms of the money coming in at Anfield, they now have an expanded stadium and the new tickets and the new seats that are available are going to the hospitality, to going to corporate fans and the yield there tends to be very high.

"They've got the new shirt deal, which comes in on August 1 with Adidas, that's going to be a substantial increase.

"They are incredibly popular with sponsors, and the sponsors will have paid bonuses for them winning the Premier League, so all of those are positives in terms of the money coming in.

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Nunez completed a £46million move to the Saudi Pro LeagueCredit: Getty

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Diaz has been sold for a profit to Bayern MunichCredit: Getty

“If you look at the players that have gone… Trent [Alexander-Arnold] has gone, he was on a very high wage, [Jarell] Quansah has gone - that will be pure profit.

So they're actually in a strong position.

“And then I've got the figures in front of me in terms of spending and all of the old-school 'big six,' Liverpool were sixth in the position [of net spend] over the course of the last three to four years.

“So they've actually been keeping their powder dry relatively to the other clubs.

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“They spent a billion pounds less than Chelsea during that period.

“So they're actually in the position to spend now because they've been quite cautious in the last couple of windows.”


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