Giovanni Leoni: We Watched Him So You Don't Have To

Giovanni Leoni: We Watched Him So You Don't Have To

Liverpool's summer spending spree looks set to continue as they welcome yet another new face through the door in Parma's Giovanni Leoni.

You'd be forgiven for not yet being familiar with the name, but if reports coming out of Italy are to be believed, the 18-year-old central defender is one of the brightest young talents in Europe.

🚨✈️ Giovanni Leoni, on his way to Liverpool right now.

Arne Slot also confirms Liverpool have agreed a deal with Parma. 🤝🏻 pic.twitter.com/GyYKwYgYmT

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2025

So, why have all of the top clubs been clambering for his signature?

We took a deep dive into his career so far, and analyse what he can bring to Arne Slot's side.

Who Is Giovanni Leoni?

It was only two years ago that Leoni was making his professional football debut in Serie C for Padova aged just 16. After a brief stint with Sampdoria in Serie B, he was quickly snapped up by Parma last summer in a cut-price deal for the Serie A side.

In a Parma side that flirted with relegation, Leoni still recorded impressive numbers which included an 89% pass completion rate, and won 65% of his ground duels, and 68% of his aerial duels.

The Italy U19 international is a towering presence, standing at 6ft 5in and has already proved more than able to deal with the physicality of top-level football in his short career, especially when out-battling experienced strikers like Romelu Lukaku and Dusan Vlahovic last season.

Giovanni Leoni against Romelu Lukaku last season 😅 pic.twitter.com/PVD2z0pYWa

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 13, 2025

At such a tender age and already exhibiting such dominant physical assets, it's clear to see why Liverpool see him as a future Virgil Van Dijk replacement.

Like Van Dijk, Leoni is comfortable with both feet and has an eye for a pass. His possession statistics while operating in low-block side caught the eye, and many believe that he has the scope to improve tremendously in a possession-based team like Liverpool.

[🟢] NEW: “I’ve spoke to someone who’s worked closely with Leoni at Parma. He thinks he can go on and become as good as Virgil Van Dijk.”

[@alex_crook] pic.twitter.com/LnFc8Tz0fP

— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) August 14, 2025

One For The Future or One For Now?

Arne Slot has been unequivocal in his stance that Leoni is a part of his immediate plans, and not just as a successor to the current captain.

Many believed that a loan move back to Italy would be likely, but no, Leoni is going to be fighting for a starting spot with the champions this season.

It may be premature to talk about succeeding a Premier League great especially after such a small sample size of games to analyse, but with Arne Slot's confidence and the Michael Edwards/Richard Hughes transfer record - Leoni looks the real deal.

Liverpool's transfer window has been attack-heavy to say the least with arrivals such as Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez all bringing goals to the side, so their forray into the defensive market is not unexpected.

• Jeremie Frimpong
• Ármin Pécsi
• Florian Wirtz
• Milos Kerkez
• Giorgi Mamardashvili
• Freddie Woodman
• Hugo Ekitike
• Will Wright
• Giovanni Leoni

What a generational transfer window! pic.twitter.com/es35BsZSXc

— Slotoholic (@Slotoholic) August 13, 2025

Ibrahima Konate is rumoured to be stalling talks for a new contract, with the Frenchman only having 12 months left on his current deal, as well as the departure of Jarrell Quansah, and Joe Gomez's unfortunate injury record, the Reds are actively searching for contingency plans.

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi could reportedly be joining Leoni at Anfield in the coming weeks. The England international has openly admitted that he will not sign a new deal at Selhurt Park, and the Eagles are keen to not lose him on a free next summer.

In what many are calling one of the greatest transfer windows of recent times, Arne Slot is keen to have competition for places all over the pitch, as his side sets out to retain the Premier League title.