Inter Milan Miss Out – Sampdoria Starlet Set To Join Parma | OneFootball

Inter Milan will miss out on Sampdoria defender Giovanni Leoni, who is instead on the verge of joining Parma.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They report that the Emilians will sign the teenage defender in a deal worth €8.5 million including add-ons.

Inter have been targeting defender Leoni throughout the summer transfer window.

The Nerazzurri see the 17-year-old defender as a player capable of growing into a top-level defender.

At the moment, Leoni naturally still lacks experience in senior football. He only broke into Sampdoria’s first team over the course of last season.

However, Leoni’s performances once he got his foot in the door were highly convincing.

The teenage defender had spent last campaign on loan at Sampdoria from Padova. However, the Ligurian club had a purchase option to sign the 17-year-old for a fee of €1.5 million.

And it was little surprise to see Sampdoria exercise that option.

It was always clear that the Blucerchiati could get a much larger fee than that if they were to sell Leoni.

And now, the Gazzetta reports, the Ligurian club are on the verge of selling Leoni. But not to Inter.

Inter Miss Out – Giovanni Leoni On The Verge Of Parma Move

According to the Gazzetta, it is Parma who have moved in to sign Leoni.

The newly-promoted club have agreed a deal worth an initial fee of €5 million with Sampdoria. In addition to this, there would be €3.5 million in add-ons.

Leoni will undergo his medicals on the move tomorrow.

Therefore, Inter will not be signing the 17-year-old from Sampdoria after all.

The Nerazzurri had not been the only team to target Leoni.

Juventus. Napoli, and Torino had reportedly also been keen from within Serie A.

And then the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Monaco reportedly showed an interest in bringing the teenage defender to the Premier League and Ligue 1 respectively.