Liverpool confirmed the signing of Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma for an initial £26m just hours before their Premier League opener against Bournemouth. The 18-year-old defender signed a six-year contract and will experience Anfield for the first time as he watches tonight's match from the stands.
The financial package starts at £26m with add-ons but will not exceed £30m in total. Liverpool fought off competition from Inter Milan and AC Milan to secure the highly-rated youngster, who made his breakthrough with Parma last season under manager Cristian Chivu.
Fan demands for more signings
Liverpool fans immediately responded to the signing announcement by demanding the club pursue Newcastle striker Alexander Isak next. One supporter wrote: "Isak is next." Another said: "Good stuff. Defence is fine now. Just GET ISAK! A MUST. Whatever it takes." A third added: "Now get Isak!"
Newcastle had previously made an unsuccessful bid for Leoni, with manager Eddie Howe being a particular admirer of the defender. However, Liverpool convinced the player that Anfield offered the best environment for his development with a clear path to first-team football.
Strategic succession planning
Manager Arne Slot refused Parma's request to loan Leoni back for the season, viewing him as ready to contribute immediately in cup competitions and potentially the Champions League. The signing addresses Liverpool's defensive depth following Jarell Quansah's departure to Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
Liverpool view Leoni as both a present and future asset after unsuccessful attempts to sign a young centre-back over the past two years. The club had previously targeted Levi Colwill, but he chose to stay at Chelsea, while Leny Yoro joined Manchester United last summer and Dean Huijsen moved to Real Madrid in this window.
Long-term planning approach
The signing represents crucial succession planning with captain Virgil van Dijk now 34 and contracted until age 36. Liverpool are also working to secure Ibrahima Konaté on a new deal, with Real Madrid monitoring his situation due to just 12 months remaining on his current contract.
According to the Independent, Liverpool expect Leoni to be named in the next Italy squad and deemed him the best young central defender available. The Liverpool Echo reports that Richard Hughes's contacts in Italy and knowledge of Serie A football enabled the club to complete the deal efficiently.
Crystal Palace discussions continue
Discussions with Crystal Palace will continue over the coming days as Liverpool aim to finalise a deal for Marc Guehi before the transfer window shuts. Palace chairman Steve Parish would be hesitant to sell, despite Guehi's desire to move to Anfield and the risk of him leaving for free next summer.
Liverpool won't exceed their valuation and can afford to wait 12 months to secure the England international without a fee, now that they've secured Leoni. The defender is prepared to handle the physical demands of English football, having faced imposing strikers like Romelu Lukaku in Serie A.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Daily Star", "Independent", "Liverpool Echo", "The Standard" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
