Parma defender Giovanni Leoni, who has been compared to new Real Madrid star Dean Huijsen, has reportedly emerged as a target for Liverpool.
According to reports from Graeme Bailey, the 18-year-old is also rumoured to be watched closely by other Premier League clubs, including Tottenham, Chelsea, Newcastle and even Huijsen’s ex-club Bournemouth.
Italian giants Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan are also rumoured to be keeping an eye on Leoni, who joined Parma last summer for £10 million.
Reports suggest that Parma, who were involved in a relegation battle last season, are not eager to sell Leoni, who made 17 appearances last season, scoring and being sent off once each.
Despite this, the Serie A side might be keen to sell if they can triple their money on Leoni within just a year of signing him. Elsewhere, however, they will need to contend with the growing interest in their star goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki.
The Japanese international impressed last season, despite the relegation battle, and has long been on Manchester United’s radar, given Andre Onana’s errors. It’s also emerged that West Ham have also made contact with Suzuki’s camp and will want to make a deal happen sooner rather than later.
Parma are unlikely to want to lose both highly valued prospects in one window, but they might be tempted by a bid from any number of the high fees offered from Premier League sides. However, it is important to remember that last season was Leoni’s first in top-flight football, making any deal for him an investment for the future and therefore a gamble.
Why do Liverpool want another defender?
Already this window, Liverpool have made two big-money moves for defenders with the acquisitions of both Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth.
However, the Reds do seem to be in the market for a new centre-back with rumours linking Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi linked with a move in recent weeks. The England international is entering the last 12 months of his deal at Selhurst Park, and the Eagles will want to cash in on him before losing him for free.
The reason for Liverpool’s centre-back interest emerges from the sale of both Jarrell Quansah and Nat Phillips, who, although not first choice, were both good options to have on the bench and in the reserves, respectively. Both these moves and the persistent rumours regarding Ibrahima Konate’s contract negotiations have left the Reds exploring their options.
Konate is rumoured to have turned down two contract offers from Liverpool who are keen to tie the Frenchman down amid interest from Real Madrid.
Liverpool will be keen to avoid another shambles like the contract situation they had last season, which ended with their vice-captain, Trent Alexander-Arnold, departing his boyhood club. Albeit in the end, the Merseyside club did make £10 million off the deal, but only out of Real Madrid’s desperation before the Club World Cup.
The Reds may also be keen on a new centre-back if injury-prone Joe Gomez remains stuck in the physio room again next season.
18-year-old Giovanni Leoni might be a good option if Konate does depart but Parma are unlikely to sell unless a bid comes in that can make it worth their while.