Parma rejected ‘better’ Newcastle offer for Liverpool’s Giovanni Leoni – Liverpool FC

Giovanni Leoni was one in all 10 Liverpool signings this summer time, and regardless of Newcastle providing a extra interesting bundle to Parma, the centre-back was lured by the chance at Anfield.

The 18-year-old arrived final month in a deal value £26 million, signing a six-year contract upon his transfer from Parma after a breakout season in Serie A.

He was a younger centre-back Liverpool had been chasing for a number of years, however Liverpool weren’t the one ones to desk a suggestion, with Newcastle having additionally made a transfer for Leoni.

Not for the primary or final time, the Magpies’ advances had been in the end rebuffed by the participant, who couldn’t say no to the chance of enjoying for Liverpool.

The truth is, Parma CEO, Federico Cherubini, informed Gazzetta di Parma, by way of Parma Stay, that Newcastle‘s supply was “extra advantageous” than Liverpool’s, nevertheless it was the Reds who turned the 18-year-old’s head.

“I’ve at all times mentioned that the membership, together with the house owners, wished to maintain Giovanni, and he’s at all times mentioned he’d be blissful to remain,” Cherubini mentioned.

“We even turned down a suggestion from Newcastle, which was extra advantageous than the one Liverpool finally made.

“When the Reds got here ahead, our plans modified: each as a result of the supply was very engaging and since Giovanni made it clear he was very blissful to benefit from this chance.

“On the one hand, it’s clearly disappointing to have misplaced such a promising participant, however on the opposite, there’s delight in a membership like ours and recognition for many who believed on this boy in unsuspecting occasions, when he’d solely performed just a few video games in Serie B.”

It was a bruising summer time for Newcastle as they needed to transfer from one goal to the subsequent, whereas Liverpool loved an announcement summer time solely hampered by the collapse of Marc Guehi’s switch.

It should, in flip, doubtless hand Leoni, who has but to make his debut, extra alternatives within the quick time period as it’s evident Slot has plans to make use of the Italian after a robust early impression.

“In case you have a look at his switch payment, you’ll be able to anticipate that he’s already fairly grown up for his age, and that’s precisely what I noticed,” Slot informed reporters final month.

“So he is available in as an 18-year-old simply enjoying along with his new teammates as if he’s right here for longer.

“Spectacular for those who have a look at how tall, quick, snug on the ball he’s. There’s a motive why we paid the switch payment we did, as a result of we see him as a vivid prospect.”