Liverpool close to signing Parma’s rising star Giovanni Leoni for £26 million
Liverpool are on the verge of completing the signing of highly rated 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma, in a deal worth approximately R$190 million (£26 million), according to ESPN. The Italian club has accepted the Reds’ offer, and the player is expected to travel to England this Thursday (14) for medical examinations before finalizing the move.
From Padova Beginnings to Parma Breakthrough
Born in Padova, Italy, Leoni’s early career was marked by short stints across several youth teams. He made a single appearance for Padova in the 2022/23 season before moving to Ternana’s under-19 side, where he did not feature in competitive matches. Short spells with the under-19 teams of Padova, Sampdoria, and other clubs followed, each yielding limited game time.
His professional breakthrough came at Sampdoria, where he played 12 matches and scored once. In 2024/25, he joined Parma, establishing himself as a regular starter with 17 appearances 14 of them from the start and another goal to his name.
A Versatile Defensive Option
Primarily a centre-back, Leoni can also operate as a right-back. According to Transfermarkt, he has played 43 matches as a central defender across competitions such as Serie A, Serie B, Primavera divisions, and domestic cups, while appearing three times as a right-back.
Replacing Quansah and Strengthening the Backline
Leoni is set to fill the void left by Jarell Quansah, who recently moved to Bayer Leverkusen. His arrival will add depth to a defensive unit that currently features Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté a target for Real Madrid and Joe Gomez.
With a long-term contract at Parma until June 2029 and a market value previously estimated at €18 million (R$113 million), the deal represents a significant profit for the Italian club and a notable investment by Liverpool in one of Europe’s most promising young defenders.
