Liverpool Strike Deal for Parma Teen Defender Leoni

Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma, manager Arne Slot has confirmed, Sport360NG reports.

The Italy Under-19 international, regarded as a key target by Slot, is expected to join the Premier League champions in a transfer worth around £26m. He began his career at Padova, had a brief stint at Sampdoria, and moved to Parma last summer. His debut Serie A campaign saw him make 17 appearances as the club narrowly avoided relegation.

“The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn’t signed yet,” Slot told reporters. “Once it’s done, I can go into more detail.”

Liverpool are also monitoring Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, though Slot declined to discuss the 24-year-old directly. Palace are understood to want £40m for Guehi, whose contract expires next summer, while Liverpool are hoping to negotiate a lower fee.

Palace chairman Steve Parish has admitted the England defender could be sold to avoid losing him for free, with the amount of game time on offer at Anfield a key factor for Guehi in a World Cup year.

Liverpool have already spent about £270m this summer, offset by around £170m in player sales. A £110m bid for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has been rejected, though the Sweden international is believed to be keen on a move. Adding Leoni, Guehi and Isak would take the Reds’ summer spending beyond £400m.

Leoni’s rapid rise has been striking. He made his senior debut for Padova in Italy’s third tier at just 16 and has spoken of being inspired by Virgil van Dijk and former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling. Standing at 6ft 5in, he ranked among Serie A’s top 10% for aerial duels won last season and has shown composure in possession despite limited top-flight experience.

With Van Dijk now 34 and Liverpool short on central defensive cover after Jarell Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen, Leoni offers both immediate depth and long-term potential.

Italian football journalist Daniele Verri says the teenager’s move is a bold one: “Leoni is strong in the air and comfortable on the ball. AC Milan and Inter were also interested, but Liverpool put in an offer Parma couldn’t refuse. It will be tough for him to start regularly right away, but training alongside Van Dijk at Anfield is a huge opportunity.”

Liverpool open their Premier League title defence at home to Bournemouth on Friday night.