Following the various transfer news in preparation for the new season , Liverpool is not left out as they have reached an agreement with Serie B side Parma to sign highly rated teenage defender Giovanni Leoni in a deal worth £26 million plus performance-related add-ons.
The 18-year-old is expected to travel to Merseyside on Thursday to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms, with the transfer poised to be completed in the coming days.
Leoni’s move marks a significant coup for the Premier League champions, who beat out strong competition from several top Italian clubs and domestic rivals. The young centre-back was reportedly insistent on joining Arne Slot’s squad, viewing Liverpool as the ideal destination for his development.
Sources close to the deal have confirmed that Leoni will be integrated directly into the first-team set-up for the upcoming campaign, with no loan move under consideration.
Liverpool have been in the market for central defensive reinforcements, particularly with Ibrahima Konaté entering the final year of his contract. The club also remain in active discussions with Crystal Palace over a move for England international Marc Guéhi and are currently seen as frontrunners for his signature.
Leoni will become Arne Slot’s sixth major signing of a busy summer window, which has already seen the club invest heavily in bolstering the squad following their title-winning campaign. With the Italian’s arrival, Liverpool’s total spend in this transfer window is set to rise to £321.5 million.
