Liverpool are reportedly close to signing Parma's highly-rated teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni, 18, as part of their ongoing defensive overhaul. The Italian defender, who made his Serie A debut just nine months ago, has quickly established himself as a promising talent and is considered one of Europe's best young defenders in his position.

Leoni, who has also been called up to Italy's under-21 squad, attracted Liverpool's interest with strong performances at Parma, prompting the club to pursue a deal that could be confirmed within 24 hours. While no official talks between Liverpool and Parma have been publicly confirmed, Italian reports suggest the player could be signed for a fee around €30 million (£26 million) plus bonuses.

Highly regarded by experts, Adam Summerton, TNT Sports' primary commentator on Italian football, endorsed Leoni's potential with a concise and positive message: "Leoni is going to be a star." This sentiment echoes Liverpool fans' excitement about securing a defender who could become a mainstay in the team's future backline.

The transfer is reportedly part of a broader defensive recruitment strategy, with Liverpool also negotiating for Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi, aiming to bolster their squad with young, talented defenders before the close of the summer transfer window.

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In addition to speculation and media coverage, video highlights showcasing Leoni's goals, skills, tackles, and passing from the 2024/2025 season have circulated online, emphasizing his all-rounded defensive capabilities and potential impact at the Premier League level.

Overall, Liverpool's interest in Giovanni Leoni reflects their commitment to building a younger, dynamic defensive unit with significant promise for the future.

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PP