Premier League clubs have been warned that Liverpool already have the perfect Virgil van Dijk replacement in new signing, Giovanni Leoni.
That’s the verdict from London City Lionesses CEO Martin Semmens, who oversaw the developments of both at Southampton and Parma.
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The former Saints CEO claimed Liverpool, who signed current captain Van Dijk during his time at St Mary’s, have pulled off another coup.
Italian defender Leoni snubbed interest from other Premier League clubs to complete a £26million move to Anfield last month.
The 18-year-old was perhaps the most low-key signing of Liverpool’s £446m summer spree on arrivals for the new season.
The Reds broke the British transfer record twice, first with £116.5m Florian Wirtz, and then when Alexander Isak joined for £125m.
The last time the Merseysiders made such a statement in the market was ironically when now-skipper Van Dijk arrived for £75m in 2018.
In Leoni, whom Semmens helped bring to Parma from Sampdoria last year, Liverpool have been told they have the Dutchman’s successor.
“Yeah, absolutely for me [Leoni is the heir to the Van Dijk throne],” Semmens told Matterface, Crook & Deeney on Friday.
“During my second summer at the club, we brought in some young talents, like [Newcastle defender] Tino Livramento, who was then with Southampton. I have a particular fondness for nurturing these young players. Romeo Lavia was another exciting prospect we signed in a similar type of deal.
“I think it was clearly the best young centre back in Italy, if not Europe. And again, we sold him the vision to come to our club to play in Serie A.
“I think it was 17 when he started playing, and then when the right moment comes, you will go.
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Leoni ‘as good as Virgil van Dijk’
“It’s like what happened with the Japanese goalkeeper, [Zion] Suzuki, who we acquired. There was interest from Man United in him, which is a rumor I can somewhat confirm.
“Originally, we believed these players would have a longer stay, potentially more than a year. However, Leoni’s talent was at such a level, which really underscores Liverpool’s sharp eye for talent for identifying that.
“Several Premier League clubs approached me for my opinion on him—not in my capacity as an Executive for Parma, as I had left by that time. I gave them my feedback, but they didn’t pursue it. Liverpool never reached out to me for that insight.”
“Five or six Premier League teams asked me,” Semmens added. “I told them he’s as good as Virgil.”
“Liverpool never called me, never asked for a reference, because they’ve got such an ability to find those players. Top player!”
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Liverpool beat Newcastle to Leoni transfer
In July, talkSPORT revealed that at least ten Premier League clubs had enquired about signing Leoni.
Among those were Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur, with the former completing a deal for the centre-back a month later.
Parma CEO Federico Cherubini has since revealed the club initially turned down a higher offer from Newcastle for Leoni.
However, the Italian club ultimately relinquished their bid to hold onto the teen due to his desire to link up with Arne Slot’s side.
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Leoni took Lukaku out of the game
Semmens revealed that one of the final moments from Leoni’s short stint at Parma remains one that will live long in the memory.
On the penultimate match of the season, Parma were in the midst of a relegation battle when they hosted champions-elect Napoli.
Yet Leoni ensured the Serie A title race went down to the wire after dominating Romelu Lukaku during a goalless stalemate in May.
“He took Lukaku out of the game,” Semmes reflected to talkSPORT. “We went to Napoli needing to get a point, and he marked him out of the game.
“I’ve never seen anything like it – just literally knocked him over!
“I spent my life losing to the likes of Troy [Deeney] and Lukaku’s bullying our centre-backs, and Leoni could do it.
“So I think he’s a top player. I don’t understand the pathway for him in terms of whether he’ll play this year or not.
“But at some point, yeah, I think he’s the long-term [replacement for Van Dijk].”
Deeney continued: “He’ll play enough matches this year to settle in, get accustomed to life in Liverpool, and handle the unique pressures there. It’s definitely a different kind of pressure, wouldn’t you agree?
“But I think next year, with [Ibrahima] Konate going, it’s a seamless [transition]…I can see Liverpool playing three at the back.”
