Liverpool have taken their spending to £321million for the summer after confirming the arrival of Italian defender Giovanni Leoni.
The £26m man joins from Parma on a six-year deal and will be at Anfield tonight for the champions’ Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
Leoni, 18, only broke through in Serie A last season but Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director, believes he is one of the best young defenders on the market.
He had interest from across Italy, including Inter Milan, and even Newcastle, who made an official offer. But the player, who is 6ft 5in, only wanted Liverpool and it is understood he gave an ‘immediate yes’ when they came knocking.
Leoni is expected to be named in the next Italy squad and the Reds view him as a potential long-term replacement for captain Virgil van Dijk, who is 36 when his latest contract expires.
Liverpool were desperate for a new centre back after selling Jarell Quansah for £35m this summer, regardless of the fact they have a buy-back clause for the young Englishman and a pre-agreed contract for a potential return.
Liverpool have confirmed the signing of defender Giovanni Leoni for £26m from Parmi
Arne Slot has now taken his summer spending to £321m and that could rise further
Ibrahima Konate is also out of contract next summer and, though the Frenchman’s representatives are in talks over a new deal, Real Madrid are circling and the situation remains uncertain at this stage.
Leoni will not be loaned out and Liverpool still retain an interest in Marc Guehi with further talks scheduled over a potential move for the Crystal Palace captain. The Reds will act if Steve Parish, the Palace chairman, reduces his financial demands over Guehi.