Liverpool Reaches Agreement for Emerging Talent Leoni from Parma Club
Liverpool Football Club has announced the arrival of highly-rated 18-year-old centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Italian Serie A club Parma, for a fee of £26 million ($35 million). Leoni, who made 17 league appearances for Parma last season, is set to join the Reds as they prepare for the new campaign.
The departure of Jarell Quansah has left Liverpool with only three centre-backs, raising speculation about potential additional signings in that position. Reports link the club to Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who could provide extra cover before the end of the transfer window.
Meanwhile, Joe Gomez has missed most of pre-season due to injury, adding to the centre-back conundrum.
In another development, Liverpool have agreed to a deal for German midfielder Florian Wirtz, who is expected to adjust well to England, the league, and his new teammates, according to Slot, the Dutch coach. The fee to bring Wirtz to England from Leverkusen could rise to a British transfer record £116 million.
The Reds have also lost several key players this summer, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Caoimhin Kelleher departing. Liverpool have spent £260 million on the signings of Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and others, bringing in four new players. However, the club has lost five to six players who played a lot of minutes last season.
Slot believes that Wirtz is a highly creative player who does not get distracted by transfer fees or other external factors. He also acknowledges that there is an adaptation period for the new players.
The signing of Leoni comes at a challenging time for Liverpool, who are still coming to terms with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last month. The club has not yet announced any plans to sign the prospect mentioned in the first bullet point.
As the transfer window closes, Liverpool fans will be eager to see how the new signings, including Leoni, will fare in the upcoming season. The Reds have not won back-to-back league titles since 1984, and this season presents an opportunity to end that drought.
Liverpool's interest in Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi may indicate a need for reinforcements in the centre-back position, as the club currently only has three available options following the departure of Jarell Quansah.
The arrival of Giovanni Leoni from Italian Serie A club Parma adds to the list of new recruits, such as Florian Wirtz, as Liverpool aim to bolster their squad in preparation for the upcoming European-leagues and the Premier-League season.
