Liverpool
Giovanni Leoni has had a difficult few months since joining Liverpool last summer. The young defender is already attracting attention from Italian clubs.
The centre-back made his debut in a League Cup game against Southampton earlier in the campaign. That is when he suffered a disastrous ACL injury and he hasn’t played for the Reds since then.
Earlier this year,Sport Witness covered Leoni’s comments about him having no regrets about the Liverpool move. He also revealed his stance that the switch to Anfield was his ‘best choice’ last summer.
Usually, a promising Italian going away from the Serie A doesn’t sit right with the country’s press. They constantly talk about him and that is quite evident from how Sandro Tonali is spoken of.
Now,L’Interista speak of Inter Milan’s interest in Leoni.
Loan with obligation on the table
The outlet make it clear that Inter are trying to ‘Italianise’ their side next season. A host of players will leave in the summer and this includes Stefan De Vrij and Francesco Acerbi.
Liverpool’s Leoni is seen as the perfect candidate, as he is Italian and also a Serie A-proven prospect.
It is believed Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio is already touching base with several clubs. This has led to an offer landing on the Reds table, who have been handed an initial loan with an obligation to buy.
This is something Liverpool will find very difficult to accept. Selling Leoni only a season after signing him will lead to a major loss, especially because of his knee injury.
The Merseyside club’s stance is hindering a move but Inter will continue to keep an eye on the situation.
Our take: Liverpool should trust Leoni
The Reds’ backline isn’t getting any younger. Virgil van Dijk is 34 and there is still a doubt about Ibrahima Konate’s future. Joe Gomez is 28 but he too has been linked with an exit in the past.
This makes Leoni Liverpool’s next big hope for the backline. He isn’t unproven by any means either. He was key for Parma last season and was very important in their survival in Serie A. This led to him being in the fray for the Italian national team as well.
That is why he is someone Arne Slot’s should definitely trust. They paid a massive amount to sign him and moving on quickly will not make sense at all.