Liverpool are reportedly working on a deal to sign Parma defender, Giovanni Leoni.
Andrea Pirlo is one of the admirers of the 18-year-old center-back, who made an impression in Serie A the previous season.
Although Leoni’s Serie A contract with Parma expires in 2029, Arne Slot has taken notice of the Italian star. With a move for Crystal Palace player Marc Guehi also in the works, the Liverpool manager has made no secret of his desire to bolster his defense.
According to The Mirror, Liverpool have now started talks for Leoni, who, should a deal be reached, will join Slot’s first team squad right away.
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With Jarrell Quansah leaving for Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool are comparatively short on center-halves aside from Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
Pirlo Lauds Leoni After Making His Parma Debut
Leoni played for Sampdoria under Pirlo’s tutelage prior to joining Parma, and he left the Serie B team after making an impression on the Italian legend.
Speaking about Leoni after he made his debut for Parma, Pirlo said: “I am very happy for him. We are dealing with a fantastic boy and I was sure he would make it to Serie A. He deserves it.”
Leoni will have the opportunity to play with Van Dijk, one of his footballing idols, if he completes a move to Liverpool. He has also expressed his admiration for Chris Smalling, a former center-half for Manchester United.
Speaking about his influences during his time with Padova, he said: “I take inspiration from van Dijk and Smalling.”
Overall, considering their individual careers, Van Dijk and Smalling are two amazing players to aspire to in today’s game.
Smalling has won two league titles and an FA Cup with United, while Van Dijk has won two Premier League titles and a Champions League with Liverpool.
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