Newcastle United have suffered another transfer setback after Parma chief executive Federico Cherubini revealed that the club rejected a superior offer from the Magpies for defender Giovanni Leoni, who instead joined Liverpool. The 18-year-old completed a £26 million move to Anfield in the summer, despite Newcastle's more advantageous bid.
Cherubini told Gazzetta di Parma: “We even turned down an offer from Newcastle, which was more advantageous than the one Liverpool eventually made. When the Reds came forward, our plans changed: both because the offer was very attractive and because the player made it clear he was very happy to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Leoni's arrival at Liverpool came amid a summer of heavy spending for the Reds, who splashed out nearly £450 million on transfers. Among their acquisitions was striker Hugo Ekitike, who joined for an initial £69 million after Newcastle had scouted him extensively. The Magpies also missed out on Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Benjamin Sesko, leaving them desperate for a striker as Alexander Isak eventually departed for Liverpool in a £125 million deadline-day deal.
Leoni, who is highly rated from his time in Serie A, could see more game time than initially expected after Liverpool failed to sign Marc Guehi on deadline day. He currently sits as fourth-choice centre-back behind Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez. Upon joining, Leoni said: “Only because it’s one of the best clubs in the world. It’s not possible to say no to this club.”
