Why Giovanni Leoni Was Sold to Liverpool Despite Newcastle Higher Bid

Giovanni Leoni joined Liverpool in the summer transfer window – but it could have been a whole different story.

The Italian central defender joined up with the current Premier League holders in a deal worth around £35million to Parma who sold the player at profit.

At just 18 years of age, the youngster is one of the most highly rated kids in European football and could be a mainstay in the Reds’ defence for years to come as their top man.

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the main pairing right now after Liverpool missed out on Marc Guehi but Leoni will surely be plotting his future and efforts of ousting one of them for their spot.

Liverpool, of course, were not the only club who were chasing Leoni with the likes of both AC Milan and Inter believed to have been tracking his progress for some time.

Giovanni Leoni could have joined Newcastle but bid was rejected

But in England’s top tier, Newcastle United were also desperate to land the prospect and now it has been revealed that the Magpies did, indeed, bid for the player.

Not only did they submit an offer, it has now been confirmed that they looked to do a deal that would have been more lucrative for the selling club with a higher fee attached.

According to their club chief executive, however, that offer was knocked back after the defender made their interest clear and Leoni had reciprocated.

“We rejected a higher offer from Newcastle for Leoni,” said club CEO Federico Cherubini.

“But plans have changed with Liverpool. I’ve always said the club wanted to keep Giovanni, and he’s always said he’d be happy to stay.

“We even turned down an offer from Newcastle, which was more advantageous than the one Liverpool eventually made.

Liverpool vs Newcastle in the transfer market

“When the Reds came forward, our plans changed: both because the offer was very attractive and because Giovanni made it clear he was very happy to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Leoni is yet to feature for Liverpool in a competitive game but he has been on the bench at St James’ Park, ironically, where the Merseyside giants saw off their opponents in a narrow but enthralling 3-2 victory.

It is also obviously not the first time this summer that Newcastle and Liverpool have been at loggerheads over potential deals being done.

Alexander Isak forced his Liverpool move through after accusing Newcastle of breaking promises to him over an exit.

Hugo Ekitike was also a Magpies target before Arne Slot’s side swooped in for the Frenchman.