Giovanni Leoni 'wanted' for shock Liverpool transfer exit despite injury hell
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Liverpool hasn't seen much of Giovanni Leoni since he made the move to Anfield from Parma, but it's claimed that he's already being eyed up for a return to ItalyGiovanni Leoni has been linked with a move away from Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)Giovanni Leoni is said to be on Inter Milan’s radar for a summer move, despite the defender being less than a year into his Liverpool career.Leoni has missed nearly the whole of the 2025-26 season, having completed a transfer to Anfield from Parma last summer.The 19-year-old has been out injured since rupturing his ACL in his debut against Southampton back in September. Leoni is not expected to return before the end of the current campaign after having surgery, although he has been spotted in some footage from the club’s training ground in recent weeks, suggesting that his recovery is on course.READ MORE: Liverpool get huge boost without even playing as club's Champions League hopes endedREAD MORE: John Henry sends timely message to Liverpool fans after Anfield protestsNow, reports are suggesting that he might not get the chance to stake a claim in Arne Slot’s side next season.
According to Football Italia, Leoni is being eyed up by Inter as the newly-crowned Serie A champions look at a potential shake-up of their defense.Atalanta’s Marco Palestra, who is currently on loan at Cagliari, is also named as an option, with Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian both set to leave, while the futures of Stefan de Vrij and Denzel Dumfries — who has been linked with Liverpool — are undecided.It’s claimed that Inter was keen to sign Leoni last summer before Liverpool stepped in, and that its interest has not disappeared, especially with his former Parma boss Cristian Chivu now in charge at the San Siro.Giovanni Leoni has made just one appearance for Liverpool, having torn his ACL on his debut(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)Should Liverpool decide to move Leoni on this summer, then it’s suggested that Inter would be among the frontrunners for his signature. At the moment though, that does look unlikely.The Reds look likely to have five central defenders on their books for next season, with Ibrahima Konate having all but confirmed that he will be signing a new contract at Anfield, while Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet will soon join him, Leoni, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.Out of those five, a move for Gomez would appear to the most likely outcome, with the England international having been touted for a move away from Anfield for a couple of years now.What’s more, Slot sounded excited when discussing Leoni’s recovery during a recent press conference.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.
Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world."If you look at Giovanni Leoni, I don’t know if you once in a while see some Instagram posts from the club, but this guy becomes a beast!" Slot said last month.Liverpool.com says: There’s surely no way Liverpool will be considering letting Leoni go this summer. At a push, maybe a loan move would be considered, but it would make no sense if the Reds gave up on him now after he was only able to make one appearance through no fault of his own.Hopefully we get to see a lot more of the teenager next season.