Liverpool is linked to Parma Starlet Giovanni Leoni, who can turn out to be a bargain and to solve an important problem in the Premier League-winning team of Arne Slot
Liverpool is said to be interested in teenage defender Giovanni Leoni, who could save the club millions on the transfer market. The Premier League champions have already made several high-profile signing sessions, but have demonstrably a shortage of options in the middle.
The club has sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, leaving Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez behind as their three options in the heart of the defense. Manager Arne Slot wants to compete next season on multiple competitions and a new center-back can help rotate the team when needed.
The Reds have already seen former transfer of Dean Huijsen at Real Madrid from Bournemouth for £ 50 million this summer. At the same time, it would reportedly cost a similar amount to bring Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi to Anfield. However, it has been claimed that Liverpool is interested in Parma -Tiener Leoni, who would cost a fraction of the price.
Reports from Talksport suggest that Liverpool is one of the at least 10 Premier League clubs that have asked about the availability of 18-year-old defender Leoni. He was signed from Sampdoria last summer and made 17 league matches in the Serie A during his Breakout season in front of Cristian Chivu.
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur could possibly compete Liverpool in the struggle for the signature of Leoni. In the meantime, it is said that Inter Milan, who is now being coached by Chivu, also one of the interested clubs and is suggested that Leoni would rather stay in Italy.
The Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport has previously suggested that Leoni is appreciated at around £ 13 million (€ 15 million). It is unlikely that the Parma Starret would immediately challenge the partnership of Konate and Van Dijk, but it remains a considerably cheaper option than Guehi. Leoni could benefit from training in addition to the Liverpool team as part of a long-term path to the first team.
A movement for Leoni would reduce the pressure on Liverpool to spend great on another defending signature, after he had already recruited full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Liverpool is said to be in pole position to sign Palace Star Guehi and continue their summer spending, including a deal for Florian Wirtz that could be worth £ 116 million.
Palace previously appreciated Guehi at £ 70 million, but has since reduced the prize to £ 50 million, since the international in England starts the last year of his contract. It is claimed that Newcastle still keeps an eye on the situation of the defender, but still has to make a new approach.
If there is no summer movement, Guehi could end his contract this season, giving Liverpool the chance to sign him as a free agent next year. Palace has not been able to agree on new conditions with the 24-year-old.
Liverpool would see two defenders signed the combination of a potential deal for Leoni and Guehi as a free agent for £ 13 million in two summers. That would be £ 37 million less than Real Madrid paid Bournemouth for Huijsen.
Despite his limited first teaching experience, Leoni made it impressed when he was called up last season. He earned praise from his manager after helping Parma to beat Juventus in April, although Chivu admitted that the defender was a work in progress.
“Like the whole team, Leoni has to keep his feet on the floor and keep working,” said Chivu. “Today he played a great game, he doesn't seem so young, but he has considerable room for improvement. He deserves the compliments and the MVP prize, but I have to be the coach and I will also point out the mistakes he has made.”