Liverpool Sign Giovanni Leoni in €35m Statement Move
Liverpool have sealed the signing of 18-year-old Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma in a €35 million permanent deal, complete with a sell-on clause — and no loan-back arrangement. Fabrizio Romano’s familiar “Here we go!” confirmed the news, and the club’s intent is clear: Leoni will join Arne Slot’s first-team plans immediately.
The move comes on the back of a title-winning season but also highlights the Reds’ need for defensive depth. With Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez the established trio — and Jarell Quansah sold to Bayer Leverkusen — Slot wanted a young defender who could grow into a long-term starter.
Leoni’s profile fits perfectly. Tall, composed, and adept at playing out from the back, he matches Slot’s philosophy of centre-backs who can defend with authority while initiating attacks. His arrival is also part of a broader defensive plan, with Liverpool still chasing Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
For Liverpool’s recruitment team, the timing was key. Moving now avoided a bidding war next summer and ensured Leoni’s adaptation to the Premier League begins immediately. The teenager’s determination to join — no persuasion needed — reflects the pull of Anfield and Slot’s reputation for trusting youth.
Slot is expected to manage Leoni’s minutes early on, but his composure, passing range, and aerial presence could see him feature in both domestic and European matches. Long term, he has the potential to influence Liverpool’s build-up play as much as its defensive solidity.
This signing shows Liverpool’s blend of ambition and foresight: strengthening the squad for the present while investing in a player who could anchor their defence for the next decade.
