[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] May 26, 2025; Liverpool, UNITED KINGDOM; Liverpool players celebrate after winning the Premier League on the bus during the Liverpool football club victory parade. Mandatory Credit: Phil Noble/Reuters via Imagn Images

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Liverpool Eye Parma’s Leoni as Potential Long-Term Homegrown Option

Liverpool are exploring the possibility of signing Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni, with the 18-year-old emerging as one of the leading names on their shortlist for defensive reinforcements. While no formal contact has yet been made with the Serie A club, the Premier League champions are weighing the benefits of convincing the Italy youth international to leave his home country this summer.

🚨🇮🇹 Liverpool want Giovanni Leoni now as staying in Italy on loan was never discussed as option.

He’d be part of Arne Slot squad with immediate effect.

Club to club talks ongoing with Parma, Leoni said yes to #LFC and never needed any convincing.

🎥 https://t.co/goF86YVxA2 pic.twitter.com/HfTtdxdARD
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2025

A key factor in Liverpool’s interest is Leoni’s eligibility to become a homegrown player under FA rules if he joins in the current transfer window. To qualify, a player must spend at least three seasons in England or Wales before turning 21. Leoni would reach his third campaign at Liverpool in 2028/29, the season in which he turns 21, thus meeting the criteria. Until then, he would not occupy a senior squad spot in the Premier League due to his under-21 status.

Parma are believed to value the centre-back at around €40 million (£34.6 million), a fee comparable to what Liverpool received from Bayer Leverkusen for Jarell Quansah earlier this summer. Should Leoni make the move, he could effectively fill the void left by Quansah’s departure in Arne Slot’s squad.

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Financially, Liverpool remain in a strong position despite Leoni move

The club has offset investment in new signings with the sale of seven senior players for a combined £191 million. Additional departures could still follow, potentially freeing further funds for recruitment.

This situation allows Liverpool to consider multiple defensive targets simultaneously. Alongside Leoni, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi remains a realistic option, bringing the added advantage of already being homegrown. The club is also monitoring Newcastle striker Alexander Isak in what could become a British-record transfer, with the Swede viewed as a replacement for Darwin Nunez in the non-homegrown quota.

[🟢] NEW: Giovanni Leoni increasingly closer to Liverpool. Negotiations well on track between the parties.

[@MatteMoretto] pic.twitter.com/wAhOERnu1L
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) August 13, 2025

For now, Liverpool’s approach with Leoni remains in the exploratory phase. Still, the strategic benefits of signing him this summer, both on the pitch and for long-term squad planning, make him a desirable target.