Liverpool’s determination to signal Giovanni Leoni from Parma has been defined by the Italian membership’s chief govt, who confirmed that Newcastle had made the next provide earlier than the 18-year-old defender joined us.
Why Liverpool received the race for Leoni
Chatting with Gazzetta di Parma, through Parma Stay, CEO Federico Cherubini stated: “We rejected the next provide from Newcastle for Leoni.
“However plans have modified with Liverpool. I’ve all the time stated the membership wished to maintain Giovanni, and he’s all the time stated he’d be completely satisfied to remain.
“We even turned down a suggestion from Newcastle, which was extra advantageous than the one Liverpool ultimately made.
“When the Reds got here ahead, our plans modified: each as a result of the provide was very engaging and since Giovanni made it clear he was very completely satisfied to make the most of this chance.”
The Italian centre again has joined our squad for £26m plus add-ons and can put on the quantity 15 shirt this season.
Regardless of enjoying solely a handful of video games in Serie B, his potential was noticed early and, as Cherubini admitted, Liverpool’s involvement made the deal unavoidable.
His performances have earned him a call-up to the Italian nationwide aspect, with Gennaro Gattuso filled with reward for our new defender.
Liverpool’s defensive rebuild continues
The transfer is a part of a wider restructuring on the again after Jarell Quansah’s £30m sale to Bayer Leverkusen.
Whereas the 18-year-old Leoni is unlikely to begin recurrently this season, his signing matches with the technique of constructing for the long run beneath Arne Slot – who has additionally defined his adoration of {the teenager}.
This summer time now we have additionally signed Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, whereas Jeremie Frimpong arrived from Bayer Leverkusen to cowl the right-hand aspect.
The additions of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak present the recruitment drive is about strengthening each space of the squad, however Leoni’s arrival highlights how critically we’re planning for the longer term at centre again.
Parma’s chief admitted there was satisfaction in dropping such a expertise to Liverpool, saying: “On the one hand, it’s clearly disappointing to have misplaced such a promising participant, however on the opposite, there’s satisfaction in a membership like ours and recognition for many who believed on this boy in unsuspecting instances.”
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