On Tuesday, [Gianluca di Marzio](https://sportwitness.co.uk/liverpool-make-concrete-move-for-signing-next-few-hours-decisive-for-reds-to-finalise-deal/) reported Liverpool have decided to speed up their move for Parma’s Giovanni Leoni.
The journalist claimed that a move can close soon, with Inter Milan yet to make any approach for the talented young defender.
As Liverpool now seem closer to landing Leoni, Italian football legend Arrigo Sacchi wrote about the transfer in his column for [Gazzetta dello Sport](https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Parma/13-08-2025/sacchi-leoni-tosto-e-moderno-i-reds-vedono-lontano-e-suo-il-futuro-azzurro.shtml) today.
The former AC Milan manager made it clear that a talent like Leoni should have stayed in Serie A in ideal circumstances, even if a move to the Reds is a major achievement.
He wrote: _“Liverpool would make a great signing, and he could thrive in the Premier League. It’s a shame he’s eluding the big clubs in Serie A. On the one hand, the news makes me immensely happy, and on the other, it makes me a little angry._
_“Let me explain – I’m happy that an Italian player is receiving praise from a major club like Liverpool, but I wish AC Milan or Inter, Juventus, or Napoli were competing for his transfer, not a foreign club.”_
Sacchi further stated that signing Leoni will be a great deal for Liverpool but also a great disappointment for Italian football.
_“We’ll see if the deal goes through, but in any case, I feel like the Reds would make a great coup by securing this boy, whom I followed with curiosity and interest in the second half of last season. Leoni is only eighteen, and I’m told he’s a decent guy, hard-working, humble, and very determined._
_“Character is crucial in a footballer’s career, as is temperament. If these two qualities are present, then the journey can proceed without any particular problems. It seems to me that Leoni is off to a good start: after all, if a major European club like Liverpool is persistently pursuing him, there must be a reason.”_
The Italian had further praise for the 18-year-old and went on to mention his strengths as a footballer, having already praised the defender’s character, something he feels is key.
_“Leoni is a modern central defender. He knows how to play man-to-man, he’s gritty, he’s physically strong, and he doesn’t let anyone move him. I remember a splendid performance he gave against a centre-forward of Lukaku’s calibre._
_“The kid wasn’t scared at all in front of the great champion. He followed him to every area of the pitch, because the plan called for a fixed marking, he engaged in aerial and ground duels, and I don’t recall a single time Lukaku managed to get past his opponent.”_
On areas where Leoni can still improve, Sacchi wrote: _“We’re dealing with a talent, there’s no doubt about that. Of course, at only eighteen, there’s considerable room for improvement._
_“For example, in my opinion, he could become even more confident in his playmaking. I appreciated his commanding attitude, because Leoni was a true commander in Parma’s defence last season: leadership is clearly in his DNA, and that’s another aspect to consider.”_
It is clear that Sacchi is a big fan of the Italian teenager and sees a positive future for him, whether that be at Liverpool or elsewhere.
Leoni played only 17 Serie A games for Parma last season but was key in their battle against relegation under Cristian Chivu.
A big aspect of any potential move is whether Leoni would get game time at Liverpool and even if they’d consider loaning him back to Parma. There’s been mixed reports on that, but it’s also been stated he dreams of playing for Italy should they qualify for the World Cup, and for that he’ll need minutes.