Inter Milan are continuing to work to sign Sampdoria defender Giovanni Leoni, and aren’t worried about competition from Juventus and Napoli.
This according to Italian news outlet FCInterNews. They report that there was a meeting between the Nerazzurri and executives from Sampdoria where they continued to discuss the deal.
Inter have made Leoni one of their major young targets for this summer transfer window.
The Nerazzurri see the 17-year-old defender as a player capable of growing into a top-level defender.
At the moment, Leoni naturally still lacks experience in senior football. He only broke into Sampdoria’s first team over the course of last season.
However, Leoni’s performances once he got his foot in the door were highly convincing.
The teenage defender had spent last campaign on loan at Sampdoria from Padova. However, the Ligurian club had a purchase option to sign the 17-year-old for a fee of €1.5 million.
And it was little surprise to see Sampdoria exercise that option.
It looks clear that, if the Blucerchiati are to sell Leoni this summer, it would already be for a significant profit compared to what they have just paid to sign him.
Reports indicate that Sampdoria would demand at least €5 million for Leoni. And potentially even more.
Inter Working To Sign Giovanni Leoni – Not Worried About Juventus & Napoli Competition
Inter are the team to have shown the strongest interest in Leoni this summer.
However, the Nerazzurri are not the only club to have registered an interest in the 17-year-old’s signature.
Nevertheless, it is Inter who have taken by far the most significant steps to sign Leoni.
By comparison, Juventus and Napoli have yet to progress in talks with Sampdoria.
Inter’s intention would appear to be to sign Leoni this summer. Then, they would be ready to loan him back to Sampdoria.
This solution would suit Inter, who would hardly have a use for Leoni in their senior squad at this stage. It would also suit Sampdoria. And Leoni himself would benefit from more experience in a familiar environment.
According to FCIN, there were further talks between Inter and Sampdoria today.
The two clubs are not in any rush to complete a deal for Leoni.
But the sense remains that Inter are making progress to sign the teenage defender before the end of the summer transfer window.
The Nerazzurri do not see the competition of either Juventus or Napoli as a particular worry, reports FCIN.
