Liverpool have reportedly escalated their efforts to secure the signing of Parma’s promising young defender, Giovanni Leoni, in a bid to outmanoeuvre Tottenham Hotspur and steer clear of a potential bidding war.
The summer transfer window has seen Liverpool at the forefront of global spending, with the club making significant investments, including the highly notable acquisition of Florian Wirtz for a record £100 million. The Merseyside club, under the guidance of manager Arne Slot, have also expressed interest in Newcastle United’s valued forward, Alexander Isak, who appears poised for a departure.
A defensive reinforcement has been marked as critical for Liverpool this summer, and they are now on the brink of confirming two new centre-back signings. According to Italian journalist Orazio Accomando, Liverpool conducted their initial inquiry about Parma’s 18-year-old sensation Leoni in early July. The urgency in Liverpool’s approach has reportedly intensified as they aim to conclude the deal swiftly, thereby preventing any hike in price due to competitive offers from rival clubs.
Apart from Tottenham, AC Milan and Inter Milan have been tracking Leoni, an adaptable defender capable of playing at right-back. However, Milan are reportedly unwilling to meet Parma’s valuation, which, as per Transfermarkt, stands at £15.5 million.
Leoni, who transitioned from Sampdoria to Parma just last August and has since extended his contract until 2029, is regarded as one of Italy’s most promising young talents. Amidst this pursuit, Liverpool’s interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has also come to light. Guehi is purported to have reached personal terms with Liverpool, whereas Leoni is reportedly eager to make the move as well.
It is underscored that Liverpool see both Guehi and Leoni not as alternatives but as complementary additions they seek to finalise before the transfer window closes on September 1. Palace chairman Steve Parish has acknowledged the club’s precarious position, with Guehi’s contract set to expire at season’s end, hinting at an imminent sale to avert losing him on a free transfer.
Parish remarked, “We’d have to do that [cash in], of course. For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem for us, unfortunately. We’ll just have to see what happens. But, you know, it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.”
In summary, Liverpool are intensifying their efforts in the transfer market as they endeavour to strengthen their defensive options and stave off competition from Tottenham and other European heavyweights.
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