Liverpool signs Leoni from Parma for £26million

Liverpool secure an 18-year-old defender from Parma in a transfer worth about £26million as part of a broader rebuild of the back line.

Liverpool signs Giovanni Leoni from Parma for £26million

Liverpool have moved to strengthen their defence by signing Giovanni Leoni from Parma in a deal believed to be around £26million, per club and media sources. The 18-year-old has already gathered senior experience across Padova, Sampdoria and Parma, including 17 Serie A appearances last season as Parma fought to avoid relegation. Manager Arne Slot confirmed the agreement in a Thursday press conference, though the formal announcement is pending. Leoni will not debut this weekend, but the deal signals Liverpool’s intent to add youth to a backbone that has carried the team through recent seasons.

Leoni’s record shows a teenager with early first-team exposure. He made 13 of his 17 Serie A appearances in the final 16 matches of 2024/25, helping Parma win 7 of those 16 games en route to a 16th-place finish. He posted solid defensive metrics for his age, including 4.64 clearances per 90 and 1.12 interceptions, compared with a baseline set by new teammate Ibrahima Konate at 4.39 and 0.60 respectively. Internationally, he has represented Italy at U18 and U19 levels and has been called up to U21s, though he has yet to debut at that level. The move comes as Liverpool remain interested in senior reinforcement like Marc Guehi, though Palace have valued him at around £40million and could wait until next summer if negotiations stall.

The Leoni signing reflects a strategic arc at Liverpool: invest in youth with a long horizon while still preparing for immediate rotation needs. The club has ongoing injuries to Joe Gomez and an aging captain in Virgil van Dijk, which could create chances for Leoni to acclimate to Premier League life in the coming seasons. The transfer also highlights market dynamics where clubs pay premium for potential, not just proven impact. If Guehi stays with Crystal Palace, Liverpool may lean more on Leoni as part of a rotating back line, testing how quickly a teenage defender can translate academy promise into Premier League resilience.

This deal comes with risk. A big fee for a teenager can invite scrutiny from fans and investors if development slows or expectations miss the mark. It also places pressure on Leoni to adapt quickly to a demanding league and a high-coverage role within a squad already stocked with senior players. In a wider sense, it signals that Liverpool are willing to fund a patient rebuild rather than chase short-term fixes, a stance that could pay dividends in the next 12 to 24 months if Leoni fulfils his potential.

Highlights

Time will tell if this is a bold leap or a cautious bet, but the club is clearly prioritizing a resilient future for its defence.