Liverpool are on the verge of completing the signing of highly-rated Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni, with a fee agreed in principle believed to be worth an initial £26 million.
The deal, which could rise towards €35 million is expected to be finalised within the coming days. Leoni will join Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté and Joe Gomez as centre backs in the Liverpool first-team squad,
The 18-year-old Italian, who stands at 6ft 5in, made 17 Serie A appearances last season and is regarded as one of the brightest defensive prospects in European football. Liverpool have been tracking Leoni for months and see him as the long-term heir to Virgil van Dijk.
The Dutchman himself, along with head coach Arne Slot, have identified central defence as an area requiring urgent reinforcement following last weekend’s Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace.
Liverpool and Parma are discussing the final details regarding the payment terms for Leoni with the aim is to finalise the deal tonight, allowing the player to travel to Merseyside on Thursday for medical examinations.
This move comes in the wake of Jarell Quansah’s £35 million transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, which has left Slot light on senior cover at the back. With Joe Gomez nursing an injury and Ibrahima Konate’s fitness historically inconsistent, Leoni is expected to slot straight into the first-team setup rather than being sent out on loan a possibility never discussed during negotiations.
Parma have agreed to include a sell-on clause in the deal, while Liverpool’s recruitment team, led by sporting director Richard Hughes, are understood to have faced little resistance from the player’s side. Leoni was eager to join from the outset, reportedly needing no convincing to swap Serie A for Anfield.
The Reds interest in Leoni follows unsuccessful approaches for Leny Yoro last summer alongside Jorrel Hato and Dean Huijsen earlier this summer, with the club determined to secure a young centre-back capable of developing under Van Dijk’s mentorship. Newcastle United and Manchester United both explored late moves, but the champions persistence has proven decisive.
Leoni, who has represented Italy at Under 19 level, has previously described van Dijk as his footballing inspiration. If he can replicate even part of the Liverpool captain’s influence, the club believe they will have landed a generational talent.
The teenager’s arrival could also provide a longer-term boost to Liverpool’s homegrown quota. Under current FA rules, Leoni’s age means he can qualify for homegrown status if he spends three seasons in England before turning 21.
The Premier League Champions have already spent over £250 million this summer on key signings Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, among others, but the club’s summer rebuild is showing no signs of slowing down.
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