Liverpool to sign Leoni for €35m, starting role uncertain | OneFootball

Giovanni Leoni is getting closer to wearing the Liverpool jersey. The central defender born in 2006 from Parma, followed for months by the big Serie A teams, is now a step away from transferring to the Premier League: the Reds are ready to fully meet the demands of the Emilian club, amounting to 35 million euros including bonuses.

Liverpool, Reds ready to close for Leoni at 35 million: the issue of starting position remains

Leoni, considered one of the most promising Italian defenders, has attracted the attention of several top clubs. Liverpool sees him as an investment for the future and a potential pillar of the defense. At the moment, Arne Slot's squad only counts Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté as available central defenders, in addition to the long-term injured Joe Gomez.

The problem of playing time Despite the interest and significant economic valuation, the main issue concerns the space that Leoni would find at Anfield. Competition is set to increase: Liverpool is also close to Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace for a similar amount (35 million), a move that would further reduce the chances of regularly playing.

For a young player in the running for a future national team call-up (and with a World Cup around the corner, if Italy qualifies), playing time could be crucial.

The loan hypothesis and the Reds' plan Leoni's entourage could ask to stay another year on loan at Parma, continuing his growth path and ensuring a regular starting role in Serie A. However, this solution does not excite Liverpool, who would like to bring him to England immediately for a year of apprenticeship under the guidance of Van Dijk, preparing him to gain space in the next season, when Konaté could leave on a free transfer.

Question of planning The negotiation has no obstacles either on the price or on the agreement with the player. The final decision will depend on the guarantee of a clear technical path: Leoni and his entourage want to know if the transfer will be accompanied by a precise plan for his growth, without the risk of being sidelined at a crucial moment for his career.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.