Premier League clubs have been warned that Liverpool already have the perfect Virgil van Dijk replacement in new signing, Giovanni Leoni.

That's the verdict from London City Lionesses CEO Martin Semmens, who oversaw the developments of both at Southampton and Parma .

The former Saints CEO claimed Liverpool, who signed current captain Van Dijk during his time at St Mary's, have pulled off another coup.

Italian defender Leoni snubbed interest from other Premier League clubs to complete a £26million move to Anfield last month.

The 18-year-old was perhaps the most low-key signing of Liverpool's £446m summer spree on arrivals for the new season.

The Reds broke the British transfer record twice, first with £116.5m Florian Wirtz , and then when Alexander Isak joined for £125

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