[PARMA, ITALY - APRIL 05:Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio in action during the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) (Milan, Inter and Liverpool links)
PARMA, ITALY - APRIL 05:Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio in action during the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)](https://football-italia.net/parma-reject-newcastle-leoni-higher-liverpool/) Parma director Federico Cherubini reveals the Ducali rejected a Newcastle offer higher than the one from Liverpool for Giovanni Leoni this summer.
Italian talent Leoni joined Liverpool for circa €35m plus add-ons in the summer transfer window, but the Ducali director revealed that Newcastle had made an even higher offer for the 18-year-old centre-back.
Parma rejected Newcastle offer for Leoni
PARMA, ITALY - DECEMBER 01: Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Parma and SS Lazio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 01, 2024 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
PARMA, ITALY – DECEMBER 01: Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Parma and SS Lazio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 01, 2024 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“We rejected an offer from Newcastle, even higher than the one from Liverpool,” Cherubini told Gazzetta di Parma via Sportmediaset.
“When the Reds knocked, it all changed as the player showed desire to join their project.”
Giovanni Leoni in the Liverpool jersey (liverpoolfc.com)
Giovanni Leoni in the Liverpool jersey (liverpoolfc.com)
Many other clubs had been linked with a move for Leoni during the summer transfer window, including Juventus, Inter and Milan in Serie A.
Leoni waiting for Liverpool debut
Italy youngster Giovanni Leoni signs his Liverpool contract (liverpoolfc.com)
Giovanni Leoni signs his Liverpool contract (liverpoolfc.com)
Leoni has yet to make his Liverpool debut, but received his first senior Italy call-up during the September break.
The promising defender scored one goal in 17 appearances in his first and only season in Serie A last term.
Leoni was not even on the bench for Gattuso’s debut as Italy head coach against Estonia on Friday, but remains available for the upcoming World Cup qualifying fixture against Israel on Monday, September 8.
Leoni has signed a contract until June 2031 at Anfield
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