IMAGE CREDITS: IMAGO
Giovanni Leoni has completed his Liverpool medical ahead of his move being made official, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Liverpool have agreed an initial £26m deal with Parma to sign teenage centre-back Leoni.
The 18-year-old travelled to Merseyside on Friday for a medical and is set to join the first-team squad, with no loan planned.
The Reds are keen on strengthening their defence after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have held talks with Crystal Palace over a potential move for captain Marc Guehi.
Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez will be available for the season opener against Bournemouth, with Gomez returning from a minor Achilles injury.
Italian football legend Arrigo Sacchi has expressed his disappointment over the possibility of Leoni leaving Serie A to join Liverpool.
“Liverpool would make a great signing, and he could thrive in the Premier League,” he said.
“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.
“I’m told Italian teams don’t have the same financial resources as English clubs. Absolutely true, but I add – why hasn’t the football product been exploited here like in England?
“Why is it so complicated to buy a €40m defender for an Italian club, and yet Liverpool doesn’t flinch?”
He added: “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 18, 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.”
Writing on X, Romano said: “Giovanni Leoni has completed main part of his medical and signs his contract as new Liverpool player!
“Exclusive detail in addition: contract will be valid until June 2031, six year deal at #LFC.
“Official announcement to follow this week.”
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