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It wasn't merely in attack where Liverpool gained the advantage over Newcastle during the summer transfer window. Parma CEO Federico Cherubini has revealed the Magpies were also pursuing Giovanni Leoni, only for the Italian defender to choose an Anfield switch.
Liverpool secured Alexander Isak from Newcastle on transfer deadline day in a record-breaking deal. Eddie Howe's side had previously looked to bring in Hugo Ekitike as a potential Isak replacement, but he also moved to Anfield before Isak joined him there on Monday.
Newcastle was thwarted in their attempts to sign a number of other targets, with James Trafford joining Manchester City and Joao Pedro preferring Chelsea. And now it has been confirmed that Leoni is another who they pursued and failed to secure.
"I've always said that the club, along with the owners, wanted to keep Giovanni, and he's always said he'd be happy to stay," Parma chief Cherubini told Gazzetta di Parma (via ParmaLive).
"We even turned down an offer from Newcastle, which was more advantageous than the one Liverpool eventually made.
"When the Reds came forward, our plans changed: both because the offer was very attractive and because Giovanni made it clear he was very happy to take advantage of this opportunity.
"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."
Leoni was presented by Liverpool prior to their Premier League curtain-raiser against Bournemouth, having completed a $35M (£26m) switch earlier that same day.
He remained on the bench for the Reds' subsequent fixture, a 3-2 triumph at Newcastle, though he has yet to make his bow for the club.
The 18-year-old has also secured his maiden senior Italy call-up, and could earn his debut against Estonia on Friday.
He represents one of five Premier League representatives in the squad, with Manchester City newcomer Gianluigi Donnarumma also included, though Leoni's Liverpool colleague Federico Chiesa remains absent from international duty.
"I'm very happy to be here. It's a really great sensation and I'm honoured to be here," Leoni told club media after signing for Liverpool.
"Yeah, a lot [of excitement]. I'm so honoured. I was very happy [about Liverpool being interested]. When I saw this I said, 'Wow, this is crazy.' I'm very happy."
Should he not make an appearance against Burnley on 14 September, Leoni might have his Liverpool debut in the Champions League.
The Premier League champions kick off their European journey at home against Atletico Madrid three days post the Burnley match, and will confront Italian rivals on 9 December when they travel to the San Siro to challenge Inter Milan.
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