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'Grown a lot'- Ex-Italy international backs Parma defender to do well at new club amid Tottenham transfer links

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Aaryan Choksi | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 10:29 AM ET

Parma star Giovanni Leoni is linked with a move to Tottenham as the Lilywhites look to bring in defensive reinforcements

Tottenham are looking to bring in defensive reinforcements in the summer as the club looks to compete on four fronts next season. It was pretty clear that the Lilywhites struggled at the back last season, registering only six clean sheets in the Premier League. The injury crisis endured by Ange Postecoglou’s men did not help the cause either.

The North London club were without their first-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven for most parts of the season. The pair were side-lined due to long-term injuries, and there were no reliable options to replace the defenders instead. However, both Romero and Van de Ven recovered in time to feature in the latter stages of the Europa League.

Backup defender Radu Dragusin also suffered a long-term injury earlier this year as he ruptured his ACL. The Romania international has not made a mark at N17 since signing for the club, and it looks like his race his run at Spurs. It was reported earlier that the Lilywhites are willing to cash-in on Dragusin if a suitable offer comes their way in the coming weeks.

Tottenham are interested in signing Parma defender Giovanni Leoni

With Cristian Romero heading towards the exit doors in the coming weeks, Spurs are willing to sign a quality replacement that would fill in the void left behind by the Argentinian. It was reported earlier that the Lilywhites are interested in signing Parma star Giovanni Leoni in the summer. The Italian club are demanding a fee of around €35m for the 18-year-old, and top Serie A clubs are also in the race for his signature.

Now, ex-Italy international Marco Lanna backs Leoni to do well at a big club if he heads for pastures new in the summer. Speaking to Tutto Mercato, Lanna said,

“He is a player who has grown a lot at Parma. Even the big clubs need to believe in these young players and help them develop – they can improve in their basic and positional technique. It’s worth investing in him; he’s a good kid, eager to work. If he learns the tricks and the nuances of the trade, he can become a top-class centre-back.”

Marco Lanna has suggested that Giovanni Leoni has grown a lot at Parma after playing for the first-team last season. The ex-Italy international pointed out that big clubs should sign Leoni and help him develop his game by improving his basics. Lanna also adds that the 18-year-old is eager to learn and he would become a ‘top-class’ defender if he is given the chance to feature regularly in the first-team.

However, signing a teenager for a fee of around €35m would be a risky move taken by Spurs. The Lilywhites already have enough cover in the centre-back position with the arrival of Kota Takai and Luka Vuskovic. With Kevin Danso waiting in the wings as well, the North London club cannot afford to invest more funds in covering the same position again.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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