Giovanni Leoni has landed in the UK for his medical with Liverpool, with a move from Parma worth upwards of £26 million set to be confirmed this week.
Liverpool agreed a deal with Parma on Wednesday night worth an initial £26 million plus add-ons, fending off competition from clubs in Italy and elsewhere in the Premier League.
This Is Anfield understands there are no plans to loan the centre-back out, despite earlier claims, with Leoni due to join Arne Slot‘s first-team squad immediately.
First he is required to pass a medical, which will take place on Merseyside, and the 18-year-old landed in Manchester around lunchtime on Thursday.
3B3EKGR Rome, Italy. 28th Apr, 2025. Giovanni Leoni of Parma seen during Italian football championship Serie A Enilive 2024-2025 derby match between SS Lazio Vs Parma Calcio 1913 at Stadio Olimpico. Final result of the match Lazio 2 : 2 Parma (Photo by Marco Iacobucci/SOPA Images/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
Leoni will report to the AXA Training Centre to undergo tests before signing a long-term contract, posing for photographs and conducting an interview with the club’s official channels.
He is likely to meet some of his new teammates for the first time, as they continue to work at the training ground ahead of Friday’s clash with Bournemouth.
Leoni will not be in contention for the Premier League opener however, as clubs are required to register players by midday of the last working day before a game in order to be eligible.
Liverpool could still announce their latest signing before the 8pm kickoff and the Italy youth international is likely to be in the stands at Anfield.
The £26 million-plus deal will bring this summer’s spending to at least £321.2 million, with scope for a significant further outlay as the club pursue Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi and Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
But the Reds have also brought in £191 million from sales so far, including big-money moves for Luis Diaz (£65.6m), Darwin Nunez (£46m) and Jarell Quansah (£35m).
Leoni will effectively replace Quansah in the squad after the Englishman’s switch to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer.