Report: Parma's rising star Giovanni Leoni sparks transfer interest from Inter Milan

The Nerazzurri are determined to make the young centre-back the cornerstone of their future defense, according to a report from Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

The outlet revealed that Inter have been tracking Leoni for over a year, having attempted to sign him from Sampdoria last summer before Parma secured his signature for 4.8 million euros. Leoni's standout performances during the 2024/25 Serie A season, where he made 25 appearances and helped Parma avoid relegation, have cemented his reputation as one of Italy's brightest defensive talents.

"He's a very interesting young player," Inter's vice-president Javier Zanetti said, hinting at the club's intent to bring him to San Siro.

Inter view Leoni as the long-term successor to aging defenders Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij in their three-man backline. The Corriere report emphasized that the Nerazzurri have no other targets for the central defensive role, underscoring their belief in Leoni's potential to anchor Italy's national team defence in the future.

At 6ft 5in, Leoni combines physical presence with technical composure, drawing comparisons to Italy's legendary defenders.

However, Inter face stiff competition. Liverpool have emerged as serious contenders, with Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg noting that the Reds are closely monitoring Leoni as a long-term prospect for manager Arne Slot's squad. Posts on X also indicate that Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have joined the race, with the latter two reportedly gathering information on the teenager.

Despite this, recent updates suggest Inter hold the edge, with Liverpool acknowledging the Nerazzurri's lead in negotiations, partly due to Leoni's prior relationship with Inter's new coach, Cristian Chivu, who nurtured him at Parma last season.

Parma have set a steep valuation, rejecting a 35 million euro bid and reportedly demanding at least 40 million euros for their star defender, who is contracted until 2028. Inter's financial constraints have prompted them to explore player sales to fund the move, with reports indicating they are close to offloading fringe players to raise the necessary funds.

Meanwhile, Juventus have also entered the fray, proposing a deal that would see Leoni stay on loan at Parma for another season, but Inter remain focused on an immediate transfer.

The clock is ticking for Inter to finalize the deal before the summer window closes. With Leoni's value expected to soar further, the Nerazzurri are pulling out all the stops to secure their defensive future.