Liverpool have confirmed the signing of highly-rated Parma defender Giovanni Leoni. The 18-year-old joins in a deal worth £26 million, plus add-ons, in a move which takes the club’s summer outlay beyond £300m. Leoni chose a move to Anfield despite interest from top Italian clubs and Premier League rivals.

Liverpool have signed 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma in a deal worth 26 million, but he will have to wait for his debut after missing the Bournemouth game.

Leoni's rise has been stratospheric, and he is part of a growing trend of Italian talent seeking fortune and improvement in England

One of the most striking revelations from Romano’s update centred on 18-year-old Giovanni Leoni. Romano confirmed, “Liverpool in direct negotiations with Parma. So club to club talks ongoing. Parma want more than the reported 30 million euros.”

Club sources have confirmed to TBR Football that Liverpool have agreed terms with Parma over a deal for defender Leoni, but in turn, their talks with Crystal Palace over Guehi have failed to be as successful. We can confirm teenager Leoni has agreed terms on a six-year deal and he is set to head to Merseyside straight away.

Liverpool have been looking for reinforcements in central defence since selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen last month, and although Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi remains very much in their sights, Leoni would provide extra cover in an area where the Reds are potentially light.