Liverpool are closing in on a permanent deal to sign Parma’s highly-rated young centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
That’s the word coming from Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, with the 18-year-old said to be willing to join Arne Slot’s outfit ‘with immediate effect’.
This comes as the Reds also look to complete a deal for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
Liverpool closing in on Giovanni Leoni summer transfer
Giovanni Leoni pushes Romelu Lukaku in the back.
(Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
There was understandable concern in some quarters that after beginning the summer window well, Liverpool would leave themselves short in several departments.
Superb moves to replenish the fullback positions – with deals for Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong – have highlighted how bare we currently look at centre-back following Jarell Quansah’s move to Leverkusen.
@farrellkeeling96 🚨 Marc Guehi or Giovanni Leoni… who should Liverpool look to sign? #fyp #lfc #guehi #leoni #liverpool ♬ original sound – Farrell Keeling
Likewise, up top, the departures of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz leave Liverpool with only three senior attackers.
However, the club are now looking to rectify the former issue. Florian Plettenberg reports on X (formerly Twitter) that the Premier League champions have ‘reached a full verbal agreement’ with Leoni.
🚨🧨 BREAKING | Understand Liverpool have reached a full verbal agreement with Giovanni #Leoni!
The super-talented 18 y/o centre-back wants to join Liverpool with immediate effect. Negotiations with Parma advanced. #LFC want to sign two more centre-backs before Deadline Day if… pic.twitter.com/EzJNexxJy9
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 13, 2025
More to the point, a deal with the club side is also understood to be ‘close’. As Ben Jacobs reports, we could finalise a move within the next 24 hours.
Why do Liverpool want to sign Leoni?
Liverpool were reported to be interested in Leoni and amongst several suitors from the Italian top-flight after a promising opening campaign in senior football.
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