Italian football legend Arrigo Sacchi has expressed his disappointment at the prospect of teenage centre-back Giovanni Leoni joining Liverpool. But the former Italy and AC Milan boss believes the Reds will have acquired a “real talent” if they can conclude a deal with Parma for the 18-year-old.
Liverpool are ready to step up their interest in Leoni as they look to reconfigure their centre-back options following the departure of Jarell Quansahto Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer.
Reports in Italy have claimed the defender is open to the move and Parma have made him available for €30million (£26m) plus bonuses.
The Reds have been in the market for a young centre-back for several years and have previously been thwarted in their attempts to sign Levi Colwill, Leny Yoro and Dean Huijsen.
But they are now thought to have nudged ahead of Inter Milan in the race for Leoni with Sacchi admitting he would prefer that not to be the case.
“Liverpool would make a great signing, and he could thrive in the Premier League,” he said. “It’s a shame he’s eluding the big clubs in Serie A. On the one hand, the news makes me immensely happy, and on the other, it makes me a little angry.
“Let me explain – I’m happy that an Italian player is receiving praise from a major club like Liverpool, but I wish AC Milan or Inter, Juventus or Napoli were competing for his transfer, not a foreign club.
“I’m told Italian teams don’t have the same financial resources as English clubs. Absolutely true, but I add – why hasn’t the football product been exploited here like in England? Why is it so complicated to buy a €40m defender for an Italian club, and yet Liverpool doesn’t flinch?”
Sacchi, writing in his column in Italian news outlet Gazzetta dell Sport, added: “We’ll see if the deal goes through, but in any case, I feel like the Reds would make a great coup by securing this boy, whom I followed with curiosity and interest in the second half of last season.
“Leoni is only 18, and I’m told he’s a decent guy, hard-working, humble, and very determined. Character is crucial in a footballer’s career, as is temperament.
“If these two qualities are present, then the journey can proceed without any particular problems. It seems to me that Leoni is off to a good start: after all, if a major European club like Liverpool is persistently pursuing him, there must be a reason.
“We’re dealing with a talent, there’s no doubt about that.”