Liverpool have formally introduced that they’ve agreed in precept to signal Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who is very rated by Austrian facet Vienna.
The transfer nonetheless requires worldwide approval, however represents a brand new strategic deal because the Reds proceed to prioritize the acquisition of elite younger expertise from throughout the continent.
The membership have introduced that the defender will stay in Austria for the rest of this season earlier than becoming a member of up with Liverpool’s Beneath-21 squad in the summertime of 2026.
Who’s Ifeanyi Ndukwe?
Ndukwe has rapidly grow to be probably the most talked about defensive prospects in European soccer.
The centre-back, presently 17, will flip 18 in March, opening the best way for him to maneuver to Merseyside.
Ndukwe’s popularity soared throughout the 2025 U17 World Cup in Qatar. He was a key a part of the Austrian crew that reached the ultimate, enjoying in all however one of many matches that ended within the runners-up to Portugal.
His performances, together with a notable objective within the 4-0 win over England, attracted the eye of scouts from a number of high golf equipment, together with Inter Milan and Bundesliga groups.
At membership stage, Ndukwe has been a mainstay of Austrian second-division facet Vienna’s reserve crew, the Younger Violets.
His technical composure and bodily edge have already seen him combine into the senior set-up, making 9 appearances on the matchday bench this season.
Ndukwe will not remedy Liverpool’s pressing centre-back want
Whereas the deal is a big milestone for the academy, it’s unlikely to carry instant aid to Arne Slott’s senior crew.
Liverpool’s defensive depth has been a difficulty of late, with Virgil van Dijk turning 35 this 12 months and Ibrahima Konate’s contract state of affairs nonetheless a sizzling subject.
The Reds have additionally handled setbacks within the senior market, together with a severe damage to summer season signing Giovanni Leoni and the failure to signal Marc Gehi.
Additionally, within the match towards Joe Gomez, he misplaced Joe Gomez to damage, leaving Ibrahima Konate as the one possibility alongside Van Dijk.
Liverpool stay linked with Micky van de Ven, a transfer anticipated in the summertime.
Ndukwe is initially set to hitch the Beneath-21 squad, so his arrival can be a long-term “forward-looking” transfer slightly than a January repair to the primary crew’s present defensive hurdles.
The deal is reportedly price an preliminary £2.6m, suggesting Liverpool consider they’ve secured a world-class expertise earlier than his market worth explodes. However for now, Anfield followers must wait till subsequent season to see the ‘Austrian large’ in motion.
