Expert shares if Giovanni Leoni is ready for Liverpool as agreement reached
Liverpool are set to sign Parma defender Giovanni Leoni.
The Reds are desperately in need of cover at centre-back, and they have identified 18-year-old Leoni as a potential solution.
Arne Slot also wants Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi at Liverpool, but no deal has been reached for the England star.
Leoni idolises current Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk and impressed Andrea Pirlo when the legendary Italian midfielder managed him.
Liverpool News presents the exclusive opinion of Italian journalist Luca Bortolotti.
Leoni deal is for Liverpool’s future
The Reds have agreed a £26million deal to bring Leoni to Anfield, in what could be a major coup as he has been labelled as the next Fabio Cannavaro.
Bologna-based Bortolotti believes that while it is a solid deal for the long-term, Leoni is not at the standard to play for the Reds right now.
Speaking exclusively to Liverpool News, he said: “Interesting youngster, modern defender, but I’m not sure he’s ready for Liverpool yet, maybe one full season as a starting eleven at Parma would be good for him.
“I read about the £26 million deal and it seems a bit overpriced at this stage of his career, but maybe it’s gonna be a good one for the future”
Liverpool’s plans for Leoni
It is almost certain that Leoni is being brought in to play a backup role at Anfield this season, rather than being sent back to the Serie A side or starting regularly.
The Reds have Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez as their only options at centre-back.
| Stats | Leoni |
| Matches | 17 |
| Ground duels won | 60.6% |
| Aerial duels won | 63% |
| Pass accuracy | 88.7% |
The latter is injury-prone, and their only depth beyond that is from their youth academy, with no prospects ready to step up to the elite level at the moment.
Leoni could benefit from learning from some of the best in the game, playing a sporadic role and honing his skills in the Premier League or Champions League.
His game time would be further reduced if Guehi were signed, but that is fine, because he is so young and will still find space to develop.
It is an exciting signing, especially for the value that they have spent, but as Bortoletti states, the L4 outfit will have to be patient and ensure that he develops in the right way.
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