Inter Milan and AC Milan are racing furiously to sign Liverpool linked Parma defender Giovanni Leoni this summer.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They report that the team to make a big sale first could get the edge in the battle for Leoni’s signature.
Leoni had already caught Inter’s eye last summer. However, they failed to get a deal done with Sampdoria for him as Parma instead signed the young defender.
But Leoni’s performances last season truly solidified Inter’s interest. Not least after Inter appointed Cristian Chivu as coach from Parma.
Meanwhile, AC Milan are no less keen on signing Leoni. Max Allegri has made the teenage defender a priority target.
In the meantime, Inter and Milan are not the only teams to consider Leoni a target.
Premier League champions Liverpool are also eyeing up the Parma defender.
Therefore, the price tag for Leoni will be very high indeed. The Gialloblu will want more than €35 million, and likely more than €40 million.
In order to finance a deal for Leoni, therefore, Inter or Milan will have to make a notable sale.
In the Nerazzurri’s case, one or even both of Kristjan Asllani or Mehdi Taremi will have to be sold.
Meanwhile, Milan would likely have to sell defender Malick Thiaw to Newcastle United. They are seeking €40 million for the 24-year-old, with Allegri seeing Fiorentina’s Pietro Commuzzo as a backup target to Leoni.
