Liverpool have an agreement in place to sign Parma defensive sensation Giovanni Leoni in a deal worth €35 million.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Giovanni Leoni will soon complete his move to Liverpool as the Premier League giants have agreed a deal with Parma. The Reds will pay around €35 million and have also promised a decent sell-on clause to the Serie A club to secure the services of the teenage sensation.
Having made significant additions to their attack this summer, Arne Slot’s team are now focused on adding more quality to their backline. They want to freshen things up in the heart of the defence and have been working hard to sign Leoni as well as Marc Guehi.
The Italian youth international has not looked back since joining Parma last summer from Sampdoria. While he was on the bench for the majority of the first half, the 18-year-old worked his way into the starting XI and was one of their standout performers in the second half.
He ended up making a total of 17 league appearances and even bagged a goal. While the majority of those came in the heart of the defence, he even featured out wide on the right. His performances caught the attention of multiple top clubs.
Liverpool strike a deal for Leoni
Liverpool have been the most serious suitor since the start. The Reds consider Giovanni Leoni an ideal fit for their project. He could add depth to their backline for now and eventually be one of their mainstays. The Premier League champions have been working on a potential transfer for weeks.
Agreeing on personal terms with Leoni was not difficult, as he was keen on the move from the start. After long-drawn negotiations, the Reds have now agreed a deal with Parma. While reports suggested it could be an initial loan deal, such an option was never discussed.
Both parties have reached a common ground, and the Reds are set to pay €35 million. Leoni is expected to be part of Slot’s plans from the get-go. The teenager will fly to Merseyside on Thursday (within the next hours) to complete the move. All documents have been approved, and Liverpool have given him the green light to travel for his medical.