Market Value: €18 million
Italy has a rich history of producing legendary defenders, and now they may have another rising star in Giovanni Leoni, often referred to as the ‘new Fabio Cannavaro.’ The 18-year-old is largely unknown to casual football fans, but those who closely followed Serie A last season took notice. Leoni burst onto the scene with Parma, making 17 appearances and showcasing why he has garnered so much attention.
While it’s important to temper expectations given the limited number of matches, Leoni displays many qualities that suggest he could evolve into an elite centre-back. Groomed by Champions League-winning manager Christian Chivu at Parma, Leoni was poised for a reunion with Chivu at Inter Milan after Inzaghi’s departure. Instead, he has opted to transfer to Liverpool for a fee around €35 million. What can he bring to Anfield?
Who is Giovanni Leoni?
Hailing from Rome, Leoni climbed the youth ranks at Padova and moved to Cittadella at a young age. Standing 6ft 5in, he made his professional debut in Serie C shortly after turning 16 in March 2023, subsequently leading to a loan move to Sampdoria in February 2024. Sampdoria secured his services permanently for €1.5 million in June 2024, but Parma snatched him up just two months later for €4.8 million. Leoni made an impressive mark in his debut season, increasing his market value by €13.2 million to €18 million, making him the third most valuable U21 defender in Serie A.
Leoni’s rapid rise to prominence has been remarkable, and Transfermarkt’s Serie A expert Aniello Luciano believes he could be a future cornerstone for the Italian national team. “Giovanni Leoni is regarded as one of the top prospects in Italian football, likely to start for the national team and keep the Italian defensive tradition alive,” said Luciano. “His growing value has made him a prime target for elite clubs in Italy and beyond.”
Strengths and Weaknesses of Giovanni Leoni
Despite his immense potential, Leoni still has room for improvement. Luciano has highlighted his key strengths and areas for growth: “Leoni is highly regarded for his athleticism and possesses impressive physical traits. He is tall yet quick, allowing him to cover large areas, although there is still room for improvement in this respect. His game awareness is particularly notable for his age, especially in terms of positioning and anticipation. He’s very physical during duels and manages to dominate without conceding excessive fouls.”
When discussing areas for improvement, Luciano stated, “Under Chivu, Parma were not known for playing the ball out from the back, so Leoni wasn’t often tasked with initiating play from defense. He has the potential to excel in this area, but he must refine his passing as it’s a crucial skill for any young defender aspiring to reach the top levels of modern football.”
This summer, Inter Milan expressed significant interest in Leoni, with club vice-president Javier Zanetti confirming their pursuit: “He’s a very interesting young player. We’ll see if we can secure him.” However, his growing profile in the Premier League has attracted attention from Liverpool and Newcastle United, who have scouted him frequently. For Liverpool, signing Leoni could be a significant coup as they build for the future.
