Ambrosini fumes as Milan miss out on Liverpool new boy Leoni

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Sam Wilson | Last updated Sep 11, 2025 11:44 AM ET

Massimo Ambrosini has stated his confusion that his old club Milan did not push harder to sign Italian starlet Giovanni Leoni, after the 18-year-old moved to Premier League side Liverpool this summer.

Leoni, who received his first call-up to the Italian national side from new coach Gennaro Gattuso this international break, joined the English club in a deal worth a reported €35 million plus add-ons.

However, Ambrosini is confused, as the Rossoneri offloaded German centre-back Malick Thiaw to Newcastle United for over €40 million – more than Liverpool paid for Leoni.

“Milan sells Thiaw for €42 million, so why don’t you go for Leoni?” The former Rossoneri and Italy midfielder said on Italian TV channel Cronache di Spogliatoio, “Liverpool paid €35 million. It’s true he would have been more of a gamble than Odogu, because he only cost €10 million, but it would have been an important move also for the environment and the fans.”

Milan legend Ambrosini: ‘Pirlo told me how good Leoni was’ before Liverpool move

Ambrosini continued to heap praise on the new Liverpool signing, revealing he spoke to Andrea Pirlo about the youngster, after the Italian legend coached the youngster at Sampdoria.

“In football, people talk,” Ambrosini said, “Andrea Pirlo told me on the second day of training that Leoni was strong. Several others had confirmed it to me that he had the qualities he later showed. For a club like Milan, I would have made that kind of justification.”

Leoni has been included in Liverpool’s Champions League squad for the upcoming campaign, unlike compatriot Federico Chiesa. The youngster has yet to play a game for Liverpool and will likely be introduced slowly into the team over the season.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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