Liverpool have agreed to sign Giovanni Leoni from Parma for £26 million, with Arne Slot confirming the deal. However, Slot remained tight-lipped about the club’s pursuit of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that the club has agreed a deal to sign Giovanni Leoni from Parma. The 18-year-old Italian defender, a standout in Serie A last season, is expected to join the Reds for a fee in the region of £26 million. However, the Reds’ pursuit of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace remains unresolved, with Slot offering no comment on the potential move.
Leoni’s Move to Anfield
Leoni’s transfer to Liverpool is a significant step in the club’s defensive overhaul. Having joined Parma’s youth ranks from Padova and made his Serie A debut in 2023, Leoni’s impressive performances last season have caught the eye of the Premier League champions. The centre-back made 17 appearances in the top flight, helping Parma to finish 16th in the table, five points clear of relegation.
While the deal has been confirmed, Slot clarified that Leoni has yet to sign his contract with the club. “The clubs have agreed a deal but he has not signed for us yet. The moment he does, I can go into more detail,” Slot told reporters. Once the formalities are completed, Leoni will join Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as potential options in Liverpool’s centre-back rotation.
Leoni’s Potential and Influence of Van Dijk
At 6ft 5in, Leoni is a physically dominant defender who excels in aerial duels. His height and presence in the air make him an asset for Liverpool, who have struggled with depth in central defence, particularly after the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen. Leoni’s ability to win aerial duels places him in the top 10% in Serie A, which bodes well for his future role in a squad known for its reliance on set-piece defending.
Leoni is also technically proficient, often starting play from the back, a trait that makes him a promising addition to a side that values composure in possession. With Van Dijk, Liverpool’s 34-year-old captain, the club is aware of the need to develop younger defensive options. Leoni has expressed admiration for Van Dijk, and the chance to learn from one of the world’s best central defenders at such a young age is a huge opportunity for the Italian.
The Guehi Conundrum
While Leoni’s transfer is all but confirmed, Liverpool’s pursuit of Marc Guehi remains in limbo. Despite growing speculation about the Crystal Palace captain’s future, Arne Slot refused to provide any updates on the situation. “He’s not our player. Unfortunately, he was the captain of the team who we lost to last Sunday,” Slot remarked, referring to Liverpool’s defeat to Palace in a pre-season friendly. “If you want to have any talks about him, you should go to Palace and [manager Oliver] Glasner and ask him about it.”
Crystal Palace are reportedly holding out for around £40 million for Guehi, who has just one year left on his contract. The 23-year-old England international is seen as a top target for Liverpool to bolster their central defence, but with the World Cup approaching, Guehi’s playing time at Anfield will likely be a decisive factor.
Liverpool’s Summer Spending
Liverpool’s busy summer transfer window has already seen £270 million spent, with significant arrivals such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister strengthening the midfield. However, despite those additions, the Reds are still in the market for more reinforcements, particularly in defence. They have also been linked with a £110 million bid for Alexander Isak, although their offer was rejected by Newcastle.
Should Liverpool secure both Guehi and Isak, their total summer spending could exceed £400 million, making this one of their most ambitious transfer windows in recent memory.
What’s Next for Leoni and Liverpool?
For Leoni, the move to Liverpool represents a major leap in his career. While it is likely that he will have to be patient for playing time in a squad brimming with top-tier talent, the opportunity to work with Van Dijk and Konate should only accelerate his development. Leoni’s potential is clear, and at 18, he has time on his side to become an integral part of Liverpool’s future defensive plans.
As for Liverpool, Slot’s confirmation of the Leoni deal will be welcomed by fans, but the unresolved issue surrounding Guehi’s potential move continues to hang over the club. With their sights set on the Premier League title once again, strengthening the defence remains a priority, and the outcome of the Guehi pursuit could prove crucial in their title challenge.
