Former AC Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini has suggested the Rossoneri missed a big opportunity by not competing with Liverpool for Giovanni Leoni. The teenage centre-back joined the Reds in August for £26m, beating off competition from Newcastle United and Serie A champions Inter. Sporting director Richard Hughes struck the deal with Parma’s Federico Cherubini, securing one of Italy’s brightest prospects.
Leoni made 17 appearances for Parma last season and earned a call-up to Italy’s squad for World Cup qualifiers, though he is still awaiting his senior debut. Ambrosini believes Milan should have reinvested the funds from Malick Thiaw’s sale to Newcastle in the 18-year-old, who has already drawn high praise from Andrea Pirlo. The Milan legend reportedly told Ambrosini about Leoni’s huge potential, underlining why the defender could have been a perfect long-term signing for his former club.