By Premier League champions Liverpool signed Parma’s teenage defender Giovanni Leoni on Friday in a deal worth an initial £26 million ($35 million).
Italy Under-19 international Leoni has agreed a six-year contract with the Reds, subject to international clearance and a work permit.
He is due to be at Anfield to watch the Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday. Once the paperwork is finalised, the 18-year-old is expected to go straight into Arne Slot’s squad to fill the gap left by Jarell Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen in the close-season.
“Because it’s one of the best clubs in the world, it’s not possible to say no to this club,” Leoni said. “I’m very happy to be here. It’s a really great sensation and I’m honoured to be here. I’m so honoured. When I saw this interest from Liverpool, I said, ‘Wow, this is crazy.’”
Soccer Football – Serie A – Parma v Napoli – Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma, Italy – May 18, 2025 Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku in action with Parma’s Giovanni Leoni.
In 2023, after making his debut for Padova, Leoni said he was “inspired” by Virgil van Dijk, and now he has a chance to learn from the Liverpool captain at close quarters. Ibrahima Konate is Van Dijk’s established partner at the heart of Liverpool’s defence.
Leoni will be vying with the injury-prone Joe Gomez for the role of leading understudy to Liverpool’s centre-back duo.
Slot has now spent over £270 million on new signings since Liverpool’s title triumph last term. Before landing Leoni, he had splashed out on Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Hugo Ekitike, with a £110 million bid for Alexander Isak rejected by Newcastle.
Liverpool also remains interested in Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi, though talks have stalled over a fee for the player, who is in the final year of his contract.
