Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni is considered one of European football's brightest prospects
Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni is a target for Serie A side Juventus.
Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni is a target for Serie A side Juventus. (Image: (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images))
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Liverpool star Giovanni Leoni is reportedly a transfer target for Serie A giants Juventus with the Old Lady looking to rebuild their Italian DNA.
That's according to Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, who say Juventus want to revive their "national" DNA, having struggled in recent seasons.
The report claims Juventus tried to sign the Liverpool defender on loan, but were knocked back by the Reds.
Leoni remains one of Italian football's brightest prospects, having joined the Reds last summer, only to be sidelined for the entirety of last season after an ACL injury on his debut.
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The Italian looked bright in Liverpool's Carabao Cup win over Southampton, but was dealt a cruel blow during the latter stages of that game.
The youngster is on the verge of returning to first-team training after the lengthy lay-off, with Andoni Iraola set to reintegrate the defender this month.
He may have played just 81 minutes for Liverpool since joining from Parma, but it's clear he's highly rated back in Italy after just one season in the Serie A.
Juventus are looking to rebuild the Italian core that once dominated the national squad, with the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Pirlo, Leonardo Bonucci and co.
Giovanni Leoni.
Juventus are keen on Giovanni Leoni(Image: Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images)
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Speaking at the Trento Sports Festical last week, Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti said: "Palmisani in our sights? He's a goalkeeper with a future and he's Italian, an important aspect because we want to expand the group of Italians in the squad."
Leoni and Lorenzo Palmisani, who plays for Frosinone, aren't the only exciting young Italian being targeted by targeted by Juventus in their rebuild.
According to the report, Brentford's Michael Kayode, Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and Chey Ndour are all targets for the Serie A club.
Leoni is expected to return to action for Liverpool this month in an exciting boost for Iraola ahead of a busy period.
Speaking about the defender's expected due date in September, the Reds boss said: "I think the next one probably should be Giovanni Leoni. I think the plan is also to start training during the [international] break, with the group."