Over the coming weeks, Tottenham Hotspur have the opportunity to bolster their ranks and aim for a top-four finish next season.
Ange Postecoglou enjoyed a solid maiden campaign at Spurs, securing a Europa League spot, but there’s still a lot of work to do.
As well as looking for first-team ready signings, it’s important for any club to look at bringing in players who look like they can become future stars.
Tottenham have done well in this market in recent years, landing the likes of Pape Matar Sarr and Destiny Udogie and turning them into Premier League stars.
In recent days, Spurs have been linked with an Italian wonderkid who is rated very highly by Azzurri legend Andrea Pirlo.
The player in question is Padova defender Giovanni Leoni, who is likely to change clubs twice over the coming weeks.
Sampdoria are expected to take up a £1.3million option to buy the 17-year-old after having him on loan last season, and then cash in to make a profit.
The Italian second-tier club is apparently looking to reinvest funds raised by selling Leoni to bolster their ranks and mount a promotion challenge next term.
Now, According to La Repubblica – via Tuttojuve – Sampdoria have placed a €5million price tag (around £4.2million) on Leoni.
The report mentions Tottenham as suitors alongside Juventus, Napoli and Torino. The latter are said to be frontrunners for the defender’s signature.
Who is Tottenham target Giovanni Leoni?
As per Calciomercato, the 6ft 4in gem is a “modern, structured, patient, disciplined, educated, determined centre-back, capable of both defending and setting up the game.”
The Italian outlet also says Leoni – an Italy Under-18 international – has been inspired by Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk and Roma ace Chris Smalling,
In addition, “his dream is to play in the Premier League, of whom he watches all the matches in his free time, or of Roma, of which he is a fan”.
Sampdoria boss Andrea Pirlo rates Leoni highly, previously telling Clubdoria46 that he doesn’t care about the player being 17 years old with regards to being a regular starter.
Admittedly, Torino may well have the edge on their rival suitors in that they’re more likely to give Leoni first-team football from the off.
Nevertheless, Tottenham would be able to offer higher wages, and they have several Italian speakers in their ranks who could take Leoni under their wing. So they certainly have a chance.