Blow for Liverpool as £35m Defensive Giant Slips Through Their Fingers 💥

Liverpool on the Brink of Transfer Heartbreak Over £35m Defensive Beast 💔

Liverpool Face Setback in Pursuit of £35m Defensive Talent as Player Rejects Move

Fresh reports from Italy suggest Liverpool’s hopes of signing highly-rated centre-back Giovanni Leoni may be slipping away.

The Reds have shown strong interest in the 19-year-old Parma defender, with a firm offer reportedly tabled earlier this month (Gazzetta dello Sport). With Joe Gomez recently sidelined and only two senior centre-backs available to Arne Slot, the urgency to strengthen the backline has grown. Club legend Steve Nicol has even called for defensive reinforcements to take priority over a big-money move for Alexander Isak.

However, Calciomercato now reports that Liverpool may be forced to abandon their pursuit of the €40m-rated (£34.6m) starlet.

Leoni appears unwilling to leave Parma, despite interest from Newcastle, Spurs, Juventus, and both Milan giants. The teenage defender believes staying with the Gialloblu will give him the best shot at regular first-team football next season—a crucial factor in boosting his hopes of earning a place in Italy’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Leoni Could Be a Valuable Addition to Liverpool’s Squad Depth

While Giovanni Leoni may not walk straight into Liverpool’s starting XI ahead of Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konaté, he’d still be a useful addition — particularly in a season where injuries or rotation could open up opportunities for game time under Arne Slot.

Standing at 6’5″, the young Italian still has areas of his game to refine — as highlighted by FBref stats comparing him to other defenders in Europe’s top leagues last season — but the calibre of clubs chasing him speaks volumes about his potential.

Interestingly, he’s said to model his game on Liverpool’s No. 4 (Calciomercato), which makes Anfield an ideal place for him to develop under the guidance of one of the best in the business.

However, with Leoni reportedly determined to stay at Parma to boost his chances of making Italy’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, Liverpool may face a tough task in convincing him to move — unless they can promise meaningful minutes.

Should the Reds’ reported interest in Marc Guehi fall through, sporting director Richard Hughes — known for his strong Serie A connections — might find it worth reaching out to Leoni and gauging whether the prospect of playing for Liverpool could sway him.