Inter pounce on Hancko and De Winter as Liverpool target Leoni – report | OneFootball

Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni is Inter’s priority target in defence, but due to his high price tag and a recent interest from Liverpool, the Nerazzurri have opened preliminary talks for David Hancko and Koni De Winter, according to Gazzetta.

Inter are eager to get defensive reinforcements for the 2025-26 campaign, and Gazzetta confirms that Parma’s Leoni is their primary target.

Liverpool target Parma talent Leoni

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)

Inter have a €30m budget for a new centre-back, but according to the pink paper, Parma’s asking price is close to €40m, a fee that Liverpool may be able to afford.

GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 17: Koni De Winter of Genoa looks on during the Serie A match between Genoa and Venezia at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 17, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)

Therefore, the Nerazzurri are also moving for alternative targets.

Gazzetta confirms negotiations between Inter and Genoa for De Winter. The product of the Juventus Academy prefers Serie A to the Premier League, where Tottenham and West Ham have also shown interest. Inter held talks for De Winter during negotiations to sell Valentin Carboni to Genoa.

Inter eye deal for Hancko

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 18: Joao Felix of AC Milan controls the ball whilst under pressure from David Hancko of Feyenoord during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off second leg match between AC Milan and Feyenoord at San Siro Stadium on February 18, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

The latest centre-back on their agenda is Feyenoord’s Hancko, who previously held talks with Juventus.

Inter need to make room for a new central defender and are also preparing to cash in from sales of ‘second-tier’ players, according to Gazzetta, but are currently unwilling to pay a €500,000 clause to terminate Francesco Acerbi’s contract, which expires in 2026.