Liverpool Agree £26m Deal for Parma Defender Giovanni Leoni

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that the club has reached an agreement to sign 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Italian Serie A side Parma.

According to Vanguard, the Premier League champions will pay £26 million ($35 million) for the highly-rated teenager, who has featured in just 17 Serie A matches for Parma.

The Reds have already spent £260 million this summer on new arrivals including Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, as they aim to build on last season’s record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. However, the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen left Slot with just three senior centre-backs at his disposal.

Joe Gomez has missed much of pre-season due to injury, while Ibrahima Konate’s future remains uncertain with just one year left on his contract.

“The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn’t signed for us yet. The moment when he signs for us I can go into more detail,” Slot said at a press conference ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday.

Despite Leoni’s impending arrival, Liverpool may still pursue another central defender before the transfer window closes, with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi linked with a move to Anfield.

Liverpool have not retained the league title since 1984, and Slot admits defending their crown will be even tougher this season. The club has undergone significant changes, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Caoimhin Kelleher departing, as well as the tragic loss of Diogo Jota in a car accident last month.

“The main reason that is so difficult is because there are so many competitors who can win the league. It’s unbelievable if you are able to do it in this league. This year will be even harder than before,” Slot said.
“We have lost five to six players who played quite a lot of minutes last season, and brought in four, so it’s normal there is adaptation.”

The transfer fee for Florian Wirtz could rise to a British record of £116 million. However, Slot believes the German international has the mental strength to cope with the pressure.

“When you see him play he is so creative. He is mentally strong, he doesn’t get distracted by a transfer fee or anything else,” Slot added.
“Good players always find a way to play well in good teams. He has to adjust to England, the league and the intensity, and his team-mates. His adjustment has already gone quite well, more than we expected.”