Just in: Liverpool ‘very close’ to full agreement for 6th summer signing, could be done in 24 hours

The atmosphere around Liverpool right now is electric. Something big is about to happen. The word coming out of Anfield is that the club is just hours away from completing a transfer that could turn out to be one of the smartest pieces of business of the summer. This is not just any signing—this is a move that fans will applaud, a decision that feels right in every way. Liverpool are closing in on Giovanni Leoni from Parma, and the deal is so close that it could be wrapped up before the sun sets again.

It is the kind of news that makes supporters refresh their phones every few minutes, searching for that final confirmation. The kind of transfer that feels both exciting and sensible, the combination that every top club dreams of. Liverpool need a centre-back. They need fresh blood in that position. And they need someone young enough to grow into the role, but talented enough to play right now. Giovanni Leoni ticks every single one of those boxes.

This move didn’t come out of nowhere. The departure of Jarell Quansah left a gap in Liverpool’s defensive line. Selling him made sense from a financial perspective—Liverpool got a very good price—but it also meant they were suddenly lighter at the back. No immediate replacement was brought in, and fans were left wondering who would step up if injuries hit. And with Liverpool, the concern is real. Ibrahima Konate is now in the final year of his contract, and his future is uncertain. Real Madrid are watching him closely, and there’s a real possibility that he could be wearing white instead of red in the near future.

Liverpool are working to renew Konate’s deal, but they are also smart enough to plan for every outcome. They do not want to find themselves scrambling for a centre-back in 2026 if he leaves. Then there’s Virgil van Dijk. The captain, the leader, the wall at the back for so many glorious seasons, is now 34 years old. His body still delivers, his mind is still sharp, but even the best defenders cannot beat time forever. Liverpool know they have to start building the next great defence now, not later.

That’s where Giovanni Leoni comes in. Just 18 years old, but already making waves in Serie A. Last season, he broke into Parma’s starting XI and made 14 appearances. In those games, he didn’t just look like a promising youngster—he looked like someone ready for the top level. His composure on the ball, his ability to read the game, his fearless tackles—it’s the kind of maturity you rarely see in players his age. It’s no surprise that scouts across Europe have been tracking him, whispering his name in recruitment meetings.

Ben Jacobs has reported that the deal between Liverpool and Parma could be finalised within 24 hours or less. Talks are advanced, both clubs are happy, and the agreement is almost complete. Liverpool fans have seen enough transfer sagas to know that nothing is certain until the pen hits the paper, but this one feels different. It feels like a done deal waiting to be announced.

And what makes it even sweeter is the price. In today’s market, where average players go for ridiculous sums, getting a talent like Leoni for under £30 million feels like a steal. It is the kind of smart, forward-thinking transfer that Liverpool have built their success on in recent years. A deal that looks good now, but in three years could look like pure genius.

Leoni himself must be dreaming about what comes next. Coming to Anfield, playing under Arne Slot, and learning directly from his idol, Virgil van Dijk. Imagine being a teenager and walking into training every day to see one of the best defenders of the modern era giving you advice. Imagine stepping onto the pitch with the roar of the Kop behind you, wearing that famous red shirt. For Leoni, this is not just a transfer—it’s the chance of a lifetime.

For Liverpool, it’s about more than just filling a position. It’s about building the future. They know that the backbone of any great team is a strong defence. They’ve seen how much difference it makes to have leaders at the back who can inspire confidence in everyone else. By signing Leoni now, they are ensuring that when the next chapter of Liverpool’s story begins, the defence will already be strong.

The timing could not be better. The Premier League season is just beginning, and having Leoni in the squad early gives him the chance to settle in, adapt to the intensity of English football, and learn the Liverpool way. Slot is known for giving young players a chance if they prove themselves in training. If Leoni shows the right attitude, he could be on the pitch sooner than people expect.

This transfer also sends a message to the rest of the league. Liverpool are not just looking at the present—they are thinking long-term. While other clubs might focus only on high-profile names who can deliver immediately, Liverpool are blending that with smart investments in youth. It is a strategy that has kept them competitive at the highest level while avoiding the pitfalls that come with overspending.

Some fans will ask—why not go for an older, more experienced defender? But Liverpool have seen what happens when you wait too long to replace ageing players. They know that the best time to sign the next big star is before everyone else realises how good he is. Leoni is in that perfect moment of his career—hungry, fearless, and ready to prove himself.

Parma, for their part, will be sad to see him go. They’ve helped him develop, they’ve given him his first real taste of top-flight football, but they also know that keeping a player of his potential is almost impossible when the giants of Europe come calling. And Liverpool are one of the biggest of them all.

It’s hard not to see the similarities between this transfer and some of Liverpool’s best defensive signings of the past. When they brought in Andy Robertson from Hull City, many thought he was just a squad player. He became one of the best left-backs in the world. When they signed Joe Gomez as a teenager, he became a key part of their squad for years. Leoni could be the next name on that list.

The next few hours will be crucial. Contracts need to be finalised, medicals completed, and announcements prepared. But right now, everything points to Giovanni Leoni becoming a Liverpool player before the day is out. And when that happens, the fans will welcome him with open arms, ready to watch the next chapter of his journey unfold on the biggest stage.

Because this isn’t just about replacing Quansah, or preparing for life after Van Dijk. This is about building a team that can dominate for years. This is about ensuring that when the battles of the future come, Liverpool will have warriors at the back ready to stand tall. And in Giovanni Leoni, they believe they have found one.