Premier League champions Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign highly-rated Parma defender Giovanni Leoni.
The deal, finalized late Wednesday night, is worth £26 million plus add-ons for the 18-year-old centre-back. Leoni has now been granted permission to travel to Liverpool to complete personal terms and undergo a medical, which is expected to begin on Thursday.
Liverpool beat out competition from top Serie A clubs and several Premier League rivals to secure Leoni’s signature, with the player reportedly determined to join Arne Slot’s side.
Leoni is set to link up with the first team immediately for the upcoming season, with no plans for a loan move.
The Reds had been targeting reinforcements in central defence, especially with Ibrahima Konaté entering the final year of his contract. Talks are also ongoing with Crystal Palace over England international Marc Guehi, with Liverpool considered frontrunners for his signature.
Leoni becomes the sixth major signing under Arne Slot, bringing the club’s summer transfer spending to approximately £321.5 million.
