Ex-Italy Star Convinced Tottenham Target Can Become Top Class | OneFootball

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Former Italy international Marco Lanna is of the view that Tottenham Hotspur target Giovanni Leoni is young player worth investing in.

Tottenham are keen on adding to their centre-back department and they do have an eye for young prospects, as evidenced by the recent capture of Kota Takai.

The 18-year-old Parma defender Leoni has caught Spurs’ attention and the player is on the transfer wish list of a host of Serie A giants, including Inter Milan, AC Milan and Roma.

Spurs could also have need of another centre-back soon as Cristian Romero continues to be chased by Atletico Madrid.

Leoni is highly rated in Italy and former Roma star Lanna stressed that the young defender has grown a lot in his time at Parma; he believes that big clubs need to show their faith in youngsters like Leoni to help them develop.

He advised Leoni’s suitors that the Parma defender is a player worth investing in and is of the view that the 18-year-old will be a top centre-back if he learns to perfect his trade well.

“I saw him sometimes at Sampdoria and he was very young”, Lanna told Italian outlet Tutto Mercato.

“He is a player who has grown a lot at Parma.

“Even the big clubs need to believe in these young players and help them develop – they can improve in their basic and positional technique.

“It is impossible to find a fully ready player at 18 or 19, except for [Lamine] Yamal.

“If there is a good foundation, you can work on it, and the investment should come from the big clubs too.

“It’s worth investing in him; he’s a good kid, eager to work.

“If he learns the tricks and the nuances of the trade, he can become a top-class centre-back.”

Parma are asking €30m to part ways with Leoni, who featured 17 times for them in the league since joining last summer for a €5m transfer fee.