Liverpool beat Newcastle United to young defender's signature in one final summer transfer window blow

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It wasn't just new Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike who preferred a move to Merseyside this summer

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe had a transfer window to forget
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe had a transfer window to forget (Image credit: Getty Images)

Liverpool beat Newcastle United in more ways than one when it came to the summer transfer window.

The Magpies saw star striker Alexander Isak force through an Anfield move, as well as Hugo Ekitike's high-profile St James' Park snub to link up with Arne Slot's side.

But as the age-old saying goes, bad luck often comes in three's and details of yet another player who moved to Anfield this summer can now be revealed in full.

Newcastle snubbed for a THIRD time this summer by Liverpool's new signing

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike during the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on August 10, 2025 in London, England

Hugo Ekitike opted for Anfield over St. James' Park earlier this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Despite having UEFA Champions League football to offer, Newcastle's transfer window got off to a difficult start.

Eventually signing two new forwards in the shape of Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade, the Magpies' wealthy owners, PIF, lost out to Liverpool for a third time in the space of a single summer, with Fabrizio Romano revealing the latest details.

Giovanni Leoni at his unveiling as a Liverpool player after his move from Parma

Giovanni Leoni at his unveiling as a Liverpool player after his move from Parma (Image credit: Getty Images)

Giovanni Leoni, who joined Liverpool from Parma in a deal worth £26m, actually turned down an offer from Newcastle, as revealed in a recent interview by the Italian club's CEO, Federico Cherubini.

"We rejected a higher offer from Newcastle for Leoni. But plans have changed with Liverpool," he began.

“This [is] because the offer was very attractive and because Giovanni made it clear he was very happy to join Liverpool," he told Gazzetta di Parma.

“On the one hand, it’s obviously disappointing to have lost such a promising player, but on the other, there’s pride in a club like ours and recognition for those who believed in this boy in unsuspecting times, when he’d only played a few games in Serie B.”

Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni is yet to make his debut

Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni is yet to make his debut (Image credit: Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo's view, it is often too hard to refuse the 'knock' Liverpool brings, especially given their recent Premier League-winning exploits.

Whether Leoni can break through this season remains to be seen, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate providing healthy competition.

Matthew Holt
Matthew Holt

Matthew Holt writes freelance for FourFourTwo, amongst others, and boasts previous experience at GOAL and SPORTBible. He now works with us alongside his time at Manchester United and Reach PLC, aiding with online content for the website. Career highs include working at the FA Cup final, as well as scoring at Old Trafford in front of the Stretford End. A long-term sufferer of his beloved Scunthorpe United, he is often seen on the padel court, as well as occasionally as a six-a-side call-up.

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