Parma have reportedly rejected a €35 million offer for rising star Giovanni Leoni amid links with Liverpool.

• Liverpool linked with Parma starlet
• Italian side reject €35m offer
• Defender favours stay in Serie A

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to Corriere dello Sport, via Tutto Mercato, Parma have received a bid of around €35m (£30m) for the 18-year-old defender from an unnamed Premier League outfit. The Serie A team have turned down the offer as the centre-back is said to want to stay in Italian football, with the teenager favouring a move to Inter Milan.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The 6ft 5in youngster is highly rated in Italy, with many likening him to Inter ace Alessandro Bastoni. If a Premier League side has forked out £30m to try and sign him, that indicates that clubs are very excited about his future. The former Padova man only joined Parma from Sampdoria a year ago for €5m so his value has already shot up.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Leoni, whose contract with Parma runs until 2029, made 17 appearances for the Italian team last season, scoring one goal in the process. The Italy Under-19 international, who has also been linked with Tottenham, can play at centre-back and right-back.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The report adds that while Leoni wants an Inter move, the Italian giants will need to sell players before they can fork out £30m for his services. The big defender may, therefore, need to be patient before he gets his dream transfer.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News