Juventus were already following Giovanni Leoni, like a few other big Serie A clubs, since he has been able to make a name for himself at a very young age. His impeccable performance against them last week only heightened their attention, TuttoSport informs (via Calciomercato).
The defender had a dominant showing in containing Dusan Vlahovic and Randal Kolo Muani. He had held his own versus Moise Kean too. He’s been one of the main beneficiaries of the switch to a three-man line under coach Christian Chivu.
Leoni started to blossom last year with Sampdoria in Serie B, and Parma acted more quickly than Juventus and other top-flight franchises to acquire him for nearly €5M. His value has tripled in a season. Inter, which are on the lookout for a defender too, are eyeing him too.
The 18-year-old has drawn the attention of English and Spanish sides as well. It remains to be seen whether the Ducali will decide to hold onto him to profit more in the future or if a big enough offer could make them cave in the next window.
He’s surely been impressive for somebody so raw, as he has just 25 matches in the pros under his belt. It’s early, but he seems a true prodigy. The Bianconeri will probably need more than one addition in the back, depending on their coach and his scheme and the future of Renato Veiga and Federico Gatti. The right move for a powerhouse is to sign him next summer and let him stay at Parma to mature, so he can come in ready to be a starter.
