Sacchi tells Liverpool what to expect from 18-year-old Italy talent Leoni: ‘A great coup’ | OneFootball

Arrigo Sacchi thinks that Liverpool are getting a ‘modern, strong and gritty’ defender if they are able to pull off a deal with Parma for 18-year-old Italy talent Giovanni Leoni, but admits that he would have rather seen the youngster move to Inter, Milan, Juventus or Napoli.

Reports on Wednesday confirmed that Liverpool are ‘very close’ to striking a deal with Parma for the highly-rated young centre-back. Parma’s valuation has stood at €40m, while Wednesday’s reports claim that Liverpool are closing in on an agreement for around €35m.

The Parma defender, who made 17 appearances in Serie A during his first season in the top flight last term, had been of interest to both Milan and Inter this summer, with rumours that a number of Italy’s top clubs were also keen but not in a position to offer a realistic deal.

Sacchi: ‘Leoni is a great talent, nobody has any doubts about that’

Arrigo Sacchi during the Women Supercup match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Dino Manuzzi Stadium on May 24, 2024 in Cesena, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Sacchi, writing for La Gazzetta dello Sport, has provided an in-depth review of what to expect from Leoni if he is to move to the Premier League this summer.

“It brings me immense joy and a bit of anger on the other side,” Sacchi explained. “I’m happy that an Italian player is receiving the appreciation from a great club like Liverpool, but I would have liked for Milan, Inter, Juve or Napoli to have competed for his signing, not a foreign club.

“Either way, I would say that Liverpool are making a great coup by securing this guy, who I followed with a lot of curiosity and interest in the second half of last season.”

Explaining what to expect from Leoni on the pitch, Sacchi wrote: “Leoni is a modern central defender. He knows how to mark a man, he’s gritty, he has a good physique, he doesn’t let himself get thrown around.

“I think about an excellent performance of his against a centre-forward of Lukaku’s quality.

PARMA, ITALY – MAY 18: Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio is challenged by Romelu Lukaku of Napoli during the Serie A match between Parma and Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on May 18, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“The boy wasn’t frightened, he followed him in every part of the pitch because the plan was for fixed, man-to-man marking. He got involved in duels, and when the ball was on the ground, I don’t remember a single time that Lukaku managed to get past his opponent.

“We’re looking at a great talent, nobody has any doubts about that. Obviously being just 18 years old, the margins for improvement are considerable. For example, in my opinion, he could be a bit safer in setting up plays.”

PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05:Giovanni Leoni of Parma Calcio in action during the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Responding to questions as to whether Leoni will be able to make the step up to the Premier League and possibly the Champions League, Sacchi wrote: “I think so. He will have to learn a few things, he will have to adapt to the new reality, but I don’t think he will run into any problems longer term.

“The important thing is that he is given a learning period. A little patience, in short.”