Who is Giovanni Leoni? £26m centre-back chosen by Liverpool as Virgil van Dijk’s successor | OneFootball

Teenager tipped for a big future after impressing in Serie A

Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign highly-rated Parma defender Giovanni Leoni.

The 18-year-old will join in a deal worth £26 million, plus add-ons, with a medical booked in for Thursday.

Leoni chose a move to Anfield despite interest from top Italian clubs and Premier League rivals.

He will join the first-team squad immediately, with any loan move ruled out. After spending heavily on attacking firepower this summer, Liverpool are seeking reinforcements at centre-back, with Ibrahima Konate entering the final year of his contract at Anfield.

Leoni enjoyed a breakthrough season last year, showcasing the composure on the ball and sharp game-reading instincts typical of a modern-day centre-back.

Liverpool have agreed a £26m deal to sign Leoni from Parma

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Standing at 6ft 5in, Leoni recorded a solid 63 per cent aerial success rate. He is a dominant presence in the air and averages 4.73 clearances per 90 minutes.

Leoni is generally at ease in possession, capable of controlling play from the backline, a trait Arne Slot will like.

What will have particularly impressed observers is his quality on the ball.

Even in a Parma side that often played mostly on the back foot, the Italian, who is adept with both feet, averaged 46.3 passes per 90 minutes, the third-highest among players with more than 10 Serie A appearances last season.

His pass success rate of 88.7 per cent was also third in the same group. For a team set up in a low block, these numbers are commendable and likely to improve in a side like Liverpool, which dominates possession.

Leoni also showed promise off the ball. He was unfazed by facing elite strikers such as Romelu Lukaku and Dusan Vlahovic, comfortably handling physical challenges and showcasing impressive upper-body strength, an attribute that will only develop further as he matures.