‘Never seen anything like it’ – Premier League clubs lost out on £26m teenager as good as Virgil van Dijk

Premier League golf equipment have been warned that Liverpool have already got the proper Virgil van Dijk alternative in new signing, Giovanni Leoni.

That is the decision from London Metropolis Lionesses CEO Martin Semmens, who oversaw the developments of each at Southampton and Parma.

The previous Saints CEO claimed Liverpool, who signed present captain Van Dijk throughout his time at St Mary’s, have pulled off one other coup.

Italian defender Leoni snubbed curiosity from different Premier League golf equipment to full a £26million transfer to Anfield final month.

The 18-year-old was maybe probably the most low-key signing of Liverpool’s £446m summer time spree on arrivals for the brand new season.

The Reds broke the British switch file twice, first with £116.5m Florian Wirtz, after which when Alexander Isak joined for £125m.

The final time the Merseysiders made such an announcement available in the market was sarcastically when now-skipper Van Dijk arrived for £75m in 2018.

In Leoni, whom Semmens helped convey to Parma from Sampdoria final 12 months, Liverpool have been advised they’ve the Dutchman’s successor.

“Yeah, completely for me [Leoni is the heir to the Van Dijk throne],” Semmens advised Matterface, Criminal & Deeney on Friday.

“We signed him the second 12 months I used to be there in the summertime, and I’ve a deep love for the likes of [Newcastle defender] Tino Livramento [for Southampton] and signing these younger gamers. Romeo Lavia: This was the identical form of deal.

“I feel it was clearly one of the best younger centre again in Italy, if not Europe. And once more, we offered him the imaginative and prescient to return to our membership to play in Serie A.

“I feel it was 17 when he began taking part in, after which when the fitting second comes, you’ll go.

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Leoni ‘As Good as Virgil van Dijk’

“Our understanding was the identical with the keeper we purchased, [Zion] Suzuki the Japanese keeper. Man United tried to purchase him. That is a hearsay I can semi-confirm.

“The view was that they might in all probability keep there longer than one 12 months, however Leoni was such a degree, and once more, I feel it highlights Liverpool’s potential that they noticed that.

“There have been different golf equipment within the Premier League that requested me about him – not as an Government for Parma as a result of I might left by then, and I advised them what I assumed, and so they did not comply with by on it. Liverpool by no means referred to as me.”

“5 – 6 Premier League groups requested me,” Semmens added. “I advised them he is nearly as good as Virgil.”

“Liverpool by no means referred to as me, by no means requested for a reference, as a result of they have such a capability to search out these gamers. High participant!”

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Liverpool beat Newcastle to Leoni switch

In July, talkSPORT revealed that a minimum of ten Premier League golf equipment had enquired about signing Leoni.

Amongst these had been Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur, with the previous finishing a deal for the centre-back a month later.

Parma CEO Federico Cherubini has since revealed the membership initially turned down the next supply from Newcastle for Leoni.

Nevertheless, the Italian membership finally relinquished their bid to carry onto the teenager on account of his need to hyperlink up with Arne Slot’s aspect.

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Leoni took Lukaku out of the sport

Semmens revealed that one of many remaining moments from Leoni’s quick stint at Parma stays one that may dwell lengthy within the reminiscence.

On the penultimate match of the season, Parma had been within the midst of a relegation battle once they hosted champions-elect Napoli.

But Leoni ensured the Serie A title race went all the way down to the wire after dominating Romelu Lukaku throughout a goalless stalemate in Could.

“He took Lukaku out of the sport,” Semmes mirrored to talkSPORT. “We went to Napoli needing to get some extent, and he marked him out of the sport.

“I’ve by no means seen something prefer it – simply actually knocked him over!

“I spent my life shedding to the likes of Troy [Deeney] and Lukaku’s bullying our centre-backs, and Leoni may do it.

“So I feel he is a high participant. I do not perceive the pathway for him by way of whether or not he’ll play this 12 months or not.

“However in some unspecified time in the future, yeah, I feel he is the long-term [replacement for Van Dijk].”

Deeney added: “He’ll play sufficient video games this 12 months to adapt and get used to dwelling in Liverpool and the pressures as a result of it’s a completely different stress, proper?

“However I feel subsequent 12 months, with [Ibrahima] Konate going, it is a seamless [transition]…I can see Liverpool taking part in three on the again.”