Former Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi has offered a glowing endorsement of Liverpool’s move for Parma’s highly rated defender Giovanni Leoni, expressing his belief that the 18-year-old could quickly become a cornerstone for both the Premier League club and the Italian national team.
According to *Mirror Football*, Liverpool’s recruitment team has identified Giovanni Leoni as a prime target, alongside Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, as part of their plan to reinforce the defense ahead of the new season. Despite having only broken into Parma’s first team in the second half of last season, the teenager has made such an impression that his valuation has already risen to around £35 million. His profile fits Liverpool’s strategy of securing long-term defensive options, especially as captain Virgil van Dijk is now in his thirties and the club is seeking to refresh its backline. Previous names linked to the Anfield side in this search include Lenny Yoro of Lille, Ajax’s Jorrel Hato, and Juventus prospect Dean Huijsen.
Leoni’s physical stature, calmness under pressure, and composure on the ball have stood out in Serie A, prompting Sacchi — a legendary figure in Italian football for his tactical innovations and success with AC Milan — to publicly praise the youngster. Sacchi claimed that Italy is losing out on a possible defensive leader for the future and voiced regret that no top Serie A team has made a bid for Giovanni Leoni. In his view, Liverpool would be acting shrewdly in bringing him to England, and the player’s development could accelerate dramatically under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp.
“We’ll see if the deal happens, but in any case, I’d say the Reds would be making a great move signing this young man,” Sacchi told *Gazzetta dello Sport*. “I watched him with interest and curiosity in the second half of last season. I’m convinced he will be the lynchpin of the Azzurri defence for years to come. Some people say 17 Serie A appearances isn’t much. I disagree — it’s not about the number of games, but the quality you show in them, and Leoni has already shown what is needed to go much further.”
Sacchi went on to stress that raw numbers do not define potential: “If someone has talent and the right mentality, you can see it straight away. A player might have 200 Serie A games and still lack what Giovanni Leoni demonstrated in his debut season. Talent doesn’t know age. At 18, mistakes are normal and must be forgiven — but I don’t believe he’ll make many. He’s already shown a strong personality and has learned the most important lesson: keep your head down and work hard.”
If the transfer materializes, Leoni would arrive at Liverpool as one of Europe’s most promising young defenders, expected to both compete for immediate minutes and serve as a long-term successor in the heart of the Reds’ defense. For Sacchi, the combination of Leoni’s maturity, mentality, and physical gifts makes him a rare prospect who could flourish in the Premier League while becoming a key figure for Italy’s national side.
