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Giovanni Leoni Completes Liverpool Medical Ahead of Official Announcement

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Giovanni Leoni has completed the main part of his Liverpool medical, with the official announcement expected this week. The Reds have agreed an initial £26 million deal with Parma to secure the teenage centre-back, who will join on a six-year contract until June 2031.

Romano wrote on X:

“Giovanni Leoni has completed main part of his medical and signs his contract as new Liverpool player! Official announcement to follow this week.”

The 18-year-old arrived on Merseyside last Friday, with no loan move planned — he will be integrated directly into Arne Slot’s first-team squad. Liverpool acted quickly to beat off competition from several other clubs, viewing Leoni as a key addition to strengthen their defence following the sale of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.

Defensive Reinforcements Underway

Liverpool’s pursuit of Leoni comes as the club also hold talks with Crystal Palace over captain Marc Guehi. With Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, and Joe Gomez all fit for the season opener against Bournemouth, the squad will have strong depth, though Gomez is returning from a minor Achilles problem.

Italian Legend’s Mixed Emotions

Italian football great Arrigo Sacchi expressed his admiration for Leoni’s potential while lamenting Serie A’s inability to retain top young talent.

“Liverpool would make a great signing, and he could thrive in the Premier League… I wish AC Milan, Inter, Juventus or Napoli were competing for his transfer, not a foreign club,” Sacchi said.

Sacchi praised Leoni’s character:

“He’s a decent guy, hard-working, humble, and very determined. Character is crucial in a footballer’s career, as is temperament.”

High Expectations for Leoni

Leoni’s performances for Parma last season have made him one of Italy’s most promising young defenders. Liverpool believe his combination of defensive solidity, maturity, and adaptability will suit the Premier League, and his immediate inclusion in the squad highlights the confidence the club has in his ability.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool fan’s perspective, this move feels like a statement of intent. Spending £26 million on an 18-year-old defender shows the recruitment team is planning for both the present and future. After Quansah’s departure, there was a risk of lacking youthful depth in central defence — Leoni immediately addresses that.

Supporters will be encouraged by the fact that he will join the first-team squad straight away. That suggests Arne Slot and his coaching staff believe he can adapt quickly to the pace and physicality of English football. Given the fixture list ahead, having an extra quality centre-back could be crucial in rotation and injury cover.

Sacchi’s comments underline how significant this signing is for Italian football. If Leoni thrives, it could reinforce Liverpool’s reputation for spotting and developing talent before other European giants make their move. His humility and work ethic, as described by Sacchi, are traits Liverpool fans appreciate — especially in defenders who need composure under pressure.

The long-term contract until 2031 offers stability and ensures the club won’t be forced into an early sale. While some may question the size of the fee for a teenager, recent transfer trends show that investing in elite young defenders can pay off handsomely. If Leoni delivers on his potential, this could be one of the smartest pieces of business Liverpool complete this summer.

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