GdS: ‘Already a derby’ – Milan and Inter’s strategies to land €40m centre-back

AC Milan are ready to contest a fierce mercato derby with Inter to land Giovanni Leoni from Parma, a report claims.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recall, the last few derbies on the pitch smiled on Milan. On the market, however, it’s a different story, it starts again from 0-0, and Inter are determined to get the upper hand in the battle for Leoni.

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Born in 2006, Leoni has amassed just 17 appearances in Serie A with Parma, but in the eyes of many he is ready. Massimiliano Allegri agrees and gave Igli Tare his name and surname, should there be an addition needed to the centre of the Milan defence.

Everyone likes Leoni – wanting to broaden the discussion there is also Juventus – but the Milanese teams are the ones who have moved with the most determination right from the start. None, however, have made the decisive move.

Inter would like to do so soon, having set aside €30m to offer to Parma. From what is filtering through, the money is not yet enough to convince the Emilian club to give in.

Parma’s plan

Parma are clear: Leoni has enormous room for growth, which is why he shouldn’t be sold in 2025, unless there are huge offers. “There is also interest from abroad in the boy,” explained the Gialloblu CEO, Federico Cherubini, to Sky Sport yesterday.

“In our opinion, his path should continue in Parma. And to date we have not had any signals in the opposite direction. We are convinced he can stay, but anything can happen.” In the market, in fact, noes are definitive only at the closing gong of the session. And there are many variables.

With Milan, for example, the scenario can also change based on departures. Like that of Malick Thiaw, for whom there is already a basic agreement of €25m with Como. The German centre-back, however, is still hesitant about the transfer to the lakeside, despite the €4m net per year salary offer.

In his mind, a return to Germany would be preferable, possibly to a big club. Bayer Leverkusen had shown interest in him, before closing the deal for Quansah from Liverpool. Bayern and Dortmund, on the other hand, are currently far away.

For their part, Milan do not need to sell Thiaw at all costs, but without a farewell in defence, it becomes difficult to think of such an expensive purchase. Allegri’s squad already includes four centre-backs: Thiaw, Gabbia, Tomori and Pavlovic.

Numerically, the Rossoneri are fine, until someone frees up space (also keep an eye on Tomori sought in the Premier League). But Leoni would also be an investment for the future: he is considered by everyone in the Rossoneri management to be the heir to the great tradition of Italian defenders.

Of course, in any case an offer much higher than the €15m plus Colombo’s price tag that was thought of until a few weeks ago at Casa Milan would be needed. How much? From Parma’s current perspective, €40m.

Leoni’s stance

In all this, how is Leoni experiencing the moment? With tranquility. Despite being just 18 years of age, the boy from Rome already has an unusual maturity for his age and in the meantime he has healed the injury he suffered at the end of the season.

He knows that sooner or later the time will come for the big leap, whether it be to Milan, Inter, Juve or elsewhere. But if it isn’t already this summer, no big deal. In the growth process, playing another Serie A season with Parma – this time as an immovable starter – can make him more ready.

Both at Milan and Inter, he could immediately count on important supporters: on the red and black side, as mentioned, is Allegri, who has already spoken about him with his friend Cherubini. On the other side of the Naviglio, Cristian Chivu was his last coach in Emilia.

In the meantime, the market derby has already started. And if it ends 0-0, the return match would probably be in 2026, if not already in January.