Liverpool told they're signing an 'absolute JOKE' of a player

Liverpool are pushing to sign an 'absolute joke' of a player. The Reds have enormous ambitions with this one.

Liverpool hope to secure a deal for Giovanni Leoni in the next few days. The club are after a new centre-back (or two) and the 18-year-old is rated highly.

Leoni established himself as a Serie A player last season despite turning 18 during the campaign. He's regarded as one of the best prospects in the country, with every elite Italian club hoping to sign him.

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And yet it appears Liverpool will get a deal done. Leoni carries the extra benefit of becoming homegrown if he moves to England before the window closes as he'll carry enough years of development in the country before end of the season in which he turns 21.

Everything points to this being a brilliant deal for Liverpool, then, if they can get it over the line. That's certainly what those close to the deal claim.

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Giovanni Leoni to Liverpool

Liverpool believe they're signing a potential superstar with Leoni. Sources close to the deal have told Anfield Watch that he's essentially got the lot.

"[He] would be such a good signing," we were told. "Natural leader, huge character - for an 18-year-old [he's an] absolute joke physically."

Leoni is certainly that. He stands 6ft 5 and while he might not be the quickest defender in the world, the teenager is already a force.

The 18-year-old wins the majority of his aerial duels as you'd expect, while also passing comfortable across shorter distances. Leoni is one to consistently recover the ball, too.

But naturally, the hype around Leoni is built on what he could do down the line. He already looks potentially dominant and hopefully won't peak for another decade.

Liverpool are willing to be the ones who give him that development. Especially with the cherry on top of homegrown status.

Expect this one to move quickly, then. A massive talent and a genuine outlier in his age group. Leoni could be something very, very special.

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