Italy U21 Star The Only Target For Inter Milan In Defense – Juventus, AC Milan, Liverpool, Spurs & West Ham United All In The Race
Today's print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews, report that it is essentially 'Leoni or nothing' for the Nerazzurri.
For the last several weeks, Inter have been heavily linked with Parma defender Giovanni Leoni.
Reportedly, the 19-year-old is the player the Nerazzurri see as ideal for the long-term future of their defense.
Furthermore, the fact that Leoni had worked with coach Cristian Chivu last season has further bumped him up Inter's list of targets.
However, the price tag for Leoni would be quite high. Reportedly, Parma are holding out for as much as €40 million to sell the teenage defender.
'Giovanni Leoni Or Nothing' For Inter Milan In Defense
MONZA, ITALY – MARCH 15: Giovanni Leoni of. Parma in action during the. Serie A match between Monza and Parma at U-Power Stadium on March 15, 2025 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by)
According to the Corriere dello Sport, Inter still see Leoni as the absolute priority target at the back.
The investment that the Nerazzurri plan to make in Atalanta's Ademola Lookman makes it more difficult to pull of a deal for Leoni. But they plan to try in the next few weeks.
Furthermore, the Corriere reports, Inter will not likely sign a defender if Leoni doesn't arrive. They don't want to pursue any backup targets.
For example, while Genoa's Koni De Winter is a target for Inter, it would be as a wide centre-back to replace either Yann Bisseck or Benjamin Pavard.
Therefore, for the centre of the defense, Inter would rely on Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij for one more season if they're unable to sign Leoni.
In the meantime, there are also several other clubs chasing Leoni.
In Serie A, Juventus and AC Milan are also keen on the 19-year-old. Then, all of Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United want to bring Leoni to the Premier League.
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