The Reds have wasted no time following their narrow Community Shield Final defeat against Crystal Palace on penalties, moving to bring in 18-year-old centre back Giovanni Leoni from Italian side Parma, for a cool £26 million.
🚨🛫 Giovanni #Leoni is now on his way to Liverpool. Medical scheduled for today. €35 million deal. Long-term contract.
… and #LFC are trying to sign one more experienced defender. Priority is Marc Guehi. 🇮🇹pic.twitter.com/uc7o4vutWt
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 14, 2025
It may not quite be the signing that Liverpool fans want – certainly at the back anyway, with the Reds reportedly still tracking Marc Guehi who captained the Eagles to victory at Wembley.
Though, the teenager is an exciting talent who is highly thought of in his native Italy and is definitely going to be ‘one for the future’.
What Do We Know About Leoni?
Having started out in the youth ranks at Cittadella, Leoni then continued his progress at Padova, making his debut in Serie C at just 16 years of age.
His performances then caught the attention of Sampdoria, who made his move permanent after an impressive loan stint, before Parma snapped him up with Leoni breaking into the first team last season, making 17 appearances for the Serie A side.
An imposing 6’4” central defender, Leoni’s height can be an asset if Reds boss Arne Slot decides to play him this season, while he is good on the ball and reads the game very well for someone of his age.
He will learn a lot should he get the chance to alongside Virgil Van Dijk as well – a partnership Slot might be keen to try out at times this season.
His aerial ability can also be an asset for the Reds – especially from defending and attacking set-pieces – indeed, he already has one goal to his name as well and will be keen to add to that for the Reds.
Any More Business For Liverpool?
It remains to be seen what happens with Guehi and Slot won’t be drawn on any comments about the situation, though a move could materialise over the next few days. It is also no secret that Liverpool are pushing to sign Alexander Isak in what has turned into the story of the summer.
Reportedly the Newcastle United forward has gone on strike, refusing to play for the club again, while Liverpool have already seen a £110 million bid rejected.
The expectation is that another bid will be lodged by the Reds, though this is becoming somewhat of a game of poker. Newcastle want a sum closer to £150 million, though the Reds know Isak wants to move and that they will need to replace him.
This could well drag on for another couple of weeks, though for now, Leoni is the latest signing in the club’s lucrative summer spending spree, which is likely to continue for a while yet.
