Giovanni Leoni is extensively thought-about to be a jewel in Italy’s defensive future, and Cristian Chivu’s imminent transfer to handle Inter Milan means the Parma teenager might comply with his boss to the San Siro.
Parma’s Serie A survival was confirmed in 2024-25’s penultimate spherical, and regardless of the specter of relegation hanging over them for a lot of the marketing campaign, they proved to be one of many league’s stickiest opponents.
Chivu, together with the youngest common squad in Serie A final season, definitely caught the attention of Italy’s heavyweights. One participant particularly has pricked the ears greater than most; centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
Who’s Giovanni Leoni?
Parma’s 15 attracts was essentially the most in Serie A, and their commendable kind after the flip of the yr is among the causes why Inter look to have chosen Cristian Chivu as their subsequent supervisor.
Leoni was an essential cog in Chivu’s well-oiled machine, and his swift development from Serie C minnows Padova, through a mortgage to Sampdoria after which lastly onto Parma — all throughout the house of two years — is reflective of his maturity effectively past his years.
At 18, he already has 17 appearances in Serie A below his belt, during which he accomplished the total 90 minutes in seven of these matches.
Leoni was integral to Parma’s Herculean efforts to keep away from relegation, cementing himself as an everyday starter below Cristian Chivu.
Though he missed out on Italy’s U21 Euros squad this summer time regardless of being extensively touted for a primary ever call-up, he has been a mainstay within the Azzurri’s U19 set-up.
Giovanni Leoni to Inter Milan Rumours Intensify as Chivu Departs
Milan-based paper Gazzetta dello Sport have advised that Inter Milan will accommodate Chivu’s arrival with some notable additions to the squad.
Though the best betting apps have Inter down as favourites to grab again their crown subsequent season, an injection of youth is required because the oldest squad in Serie A nears a mean of 30. Giovanni Leoni is reportedly chief amongst their younger targets.
Parma are anticipated to demand at the very least $17 million to signal the 18-year-old, regardless of enjoying lower than half a season within the top-flight. That determine might effectively rise, with Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio additionally reporting that Juventus’s new-look hierarchy are eager to rival each Milan groups, and Napoli, for his signature.
Though Parma have communicated to potential suitors that Leoni just isn’t on the market this summer time, their vibrant monetary historical past is well-documented, and a bidding conflict to drive up the value might power their hand to promote.
Giovanni Leoni Stats and Fashion of Play
Giovanni Leoni is billed because the archetypal trendy centre-back; tall, fast and equally sturdy on each ft. Leoni can function as a conventional centre-back, or on the precise facet of a three-man defence.
- Serie A appearances: 17
- Move Completion Fee: 89%
- Clearances Per Sport: 3.6
- Interceptions Per Sport: 1
Giovanni Leoni – Serie A 24/25:
51 passes per 90
89% move accuracy
1.8 floor duels gained per 90
1.3 aerial duels gained per 90
18 years of age. One of the crucial full teenage CBs in Europe. The way forward for Calcio.
pic.twitter.com/LPCHgST51h
— Soccer Expertise Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) April 23, 2025
The submit Cristian Chivu Wants Parma’s Teenage Sensation Giovanni Leoni to Follow Him to Inter Milan appeared first on FootItalia.com.
