Giovanni Leoni has already suggested he cannot wait to play with one player at Liverpool

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Liverpool are close to signing Giovanni Leoni in a £30m move from Parma.

The Italy U19 international is set to become just the eighth Italian to play for Liverpool, and will join his fellow countryman Federico Chiesa at Anfield once the deal goes through.

• Federico Chiesa
• Mario Balotelli
• Fabio Borini
• Alberto Aquilani
• Andrea Dossena
• Daniele Padelli
• Gabriel Paletta

However, there is another Liverpool player Giovanni Leoni seems more excited to play with than Chiesa, as the Parma No.46 previously called Virgil van Dijk his idol.

What Giovanni Leoni said about Virgil van Dijk

Speaking to Padova Calcio back in 2023, the 18-year-old named the Netherlands international as his idol.

Leoni said: “I take inspiration from Van Dijk.”

Therefore – just like Florian Wirtz cannot wait to play with Mohamed Salah – the Italian teenager is surely excited by the prospect of partnering his idol, if he can manage to dislodge Ibrahima Konate from the starting lineup first, that is.

Arne Slot also has Joe Gomez to choose from – and potentially Marc Guehi as well.

Liverpool also hoping to complete Marc Guehi deal

With Konate potentially leaving on a free transfer next summer, it seems Liverpool want to have a senior replacement for the Frenchman lined up, as well as a younger option like Leoni to step in for Jarell Quansah – who was sold to Bayer Leverkusen in July.

As such, TBR Football understand Liverpool are hoping to sign Guehi from Crystal Palace, sensing a market opportunity over the England international, who only has 11 months remaining on his contract.

However, Liverpool and Crystal Palace are currently at odds over a fee, and the defender is currently looking more likely to leave Selhurst Park on a free transfer next summer.

Sources add that Konstantinos Koulierakis, Jarrad Braithwaite, Joel Ordonez and Murillo are also admired by Liverpool.

If Guehi or one of these other names arrives, Leoni could be loaned out by Liverpool, but as things stand, the teenager is set to become a part of Slot’s squad.