Report – Inter Milan Haven’t Given Up On €40M Rated Italy U21 Star Despite Liverpool Interest | OneFootball

Inter Milan haven’t given up their interest in signing Giovanni Leoni despite facing competition from Liverpool.

This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They report that the 19-year-old will cost €40 million, and Inter could make their move after sorting out their attack.

Inter Milan have been eyeing up a deal to sign Parma defender Giovanni Leoni for much of the summer.

The teenage defender has been on Inter’s radar since last summer. They had attempted to sign him from Sampdoria, but instead it was Parma who agreed a deal for Leoni.

However, Leoni’s performances at Parma last season have ensured that Inter’s interest has only increased.

And as is well-known, the fact that Cristian Chivu worked successfully with the young defender before joining Inter is another key factor in the Nerazzurri’s interest.

Inter also know that Leoni’s excellent performances for Parma mean that his price tag has risen significantly.

The Nerazzurri had been thinking about a deal worth €30-35 million for the 19-year-old.

However, Parma are likely to demand more due to the amount of interest in Leoni.

Premier League champions Liverpool are reportedly among the clubs to see Leoni as a target.

Therefore, Parma are likely to want a fee of no less than €40 million. And that will be a tought figure for Inter to reach.

Inter Haven’t Given Up On Giovanni Leoni Despite Liverpool Interest

MONZA, ITALY – MARCH 15: Giovanni Leoni of Parma in action during the Serie A match between Monza and Parma at U-Power Stadium on March 15, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

However, the Gazzetta dello Sport report, that doesn’t mean Inter aren’t going to try.

Right now, Inter’s priority is to put the finishing touches on their attack for next season. They are still trying to sign Atalanta talisman Ademola Lookman, but could also sign another forward if that pursuit fails.

In the meantime, Inter are also making some sales of fringe players.

Once all of that business is completed, the Gazzetta reports, Inter will make their move for Leoni.

Furthermore, the newspaper anticipate, Leoni’s arrival would not necessitate that another defender Like Yann Bisseck or Benjamin Pavard leave.

On the contrary, if Bisseck or Pavard were to be sold, then Inter would move for Genoa’s Koni De Winter.

But with Leoni, the Nerazzurri see the young defender as a long-term heir to aging stalwarts Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij.

Meanwhile, the Gazzetta report that Inter believe that Leoni’s desire to join them could be their ace in the hole.

The 19-year-old fully trusts coach Cristian Chivu. He believes that a move to Inter would be ideal for him to grow and maybe even stake his place in Italy’s World Cup squad next summer.

In the meantime, Inter are also in talks to sell striker Sebastiano Esposito to Parma.

That deal won’t be linked to a move for Leoni, notes the Gazzetta. However, it is a signal that the Nerazzurri and the Gialloblu are on the same page.

Particularly after Inter already completed one big money deal to sign Ange-Yoan Bonny from Parma this summer, they have cautious optimism about an even bigger signing from Emilia-Romagna.