Given the money spent this summer, the aim is for Liverpool to replicate their success last season and hang onto their

Either a shot in the dark or an inspired purchase, Liverpool has completed the signing of Italian central defender Giovanni Leoni.

Liverpool are closing in on a deal to sign centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma, sources told ESPN. The 18-year-old had attracted interest from Serie A side Inter Milan but has now been given permission to have a medical with Liverpool and will fly to the UK on Thursday ahead of completing a move for an initial fee of £26 million ($35m).