Liverpool will reportedly look to sign 18-year-old Italian wonderkid Giovanni Leoni from Serie A club Parma Calcio in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Corriere dello Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Giovanni Leoni is the subject of interest from Liverpool. The Reds are keen on reinforcing their first-team squad by signing a highly-rated centre-back in the summer transfer window. So, the 18-year-old Parma Calcio whizkid has emerged as a target for the Merseyside outfit.
The Premier League champions have initiated the move to sign the teenage sensation by establishing contact to discuss a possible deal. However, the Parma wonderkid is keen on moving across Serie A to join Inter Milan in the summer transfer window.
Giovanni Leoni and his rising stock
Giovanni Leoni is the latest highly-rated prospect to rise in prominence in his homeland. The 18-year-old has spent his formative years thus far in his homeland and graduated from the youth division at Calcio Padova. However, the Rome native has established himself as one of the best young prospects in Serie A since joining Parma Calcio from Sampdoria last summer.
The Italian wonderkid has turned out 17 times thus far for the Serie A club while chipping in with one goal. Meanwhile, Leoni’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs. Premier League bigwigs, in particular, are keen on signing him, with Liverpool among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.
Premier League move on the horizon?
Liverpool’s interest in Giovanni Leoni is understandable. The Reds are scouring the market for a centre-back after allowing Jarell Quansah to join Bayer Leverkusen this summer. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate has entered the final 12 months of his Liverpool contract, with talks over a new deal not progressing much.
In addition, Virgil van Dijk is on the wrong side of 30 and approaching the twilight of his career, while Joe Gomez has struggled with fitness issues throughout his spell with the Merseyside club. So, Leoni has emerged as a viable target for Liverpool. The Premier League champions have established contact over a possible move in the summer transfer window.
However, a summer move may not see the light of day, as the 18-year-old Italian wonderkid wants to move to Inter Milan. The teenage sensation is also a target for AC Milan and Juventus, but he prefers joining the Nerazzurri. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool can turn Leoni’s head in the coming weeks.
