Liverpool to COMPLETE £3.7m centre-back signing

Liverpool’s centre-back department is undergoing a shakeup at present.

Last summer club sporting director Richard Hughes wrapped up a deal for Giovanni Leoni. The 19-year-old was acquired on a £26m deal from Parma and it was apparent that the Reds were making plans for the future.

With Ibrahima Konate out of contract in 2026 - and long-serving captain Virgil van Dijk turning 35 before the start of next season - the time is right to think about the seasons ahead.

The trend for recruiting for the future continued in the January window when the Premier League champions tied up two more centre-back deals.

Noah Adekoya was signed from Burnley’s academy - and the Anfield side can expect the Scouser to progress through the ranks.

Also signed was Mor Talla Ndiaye - an 18-year-old Senegalese central defender brought in from Amitié FC in his homeland.

Ndukwe signing will cost £3.7m

Ndiaye was said to have bowled over Liverpool recruiters with his performances at the recent FIFA Under-17 World Cup. And he wasn’t the only defender to catch the Reds’ eye at that tournament.

Liverpool are continuing their spree of signing young defenders with Ifeanyi Ndukwe coming in from Austria Wien. The Austrian standout reached the final of the U17 competition and is on the brink of completing a move to Anfield.

According to Kronen Zeitung the final deal will be worth around £3.7m - a relative bargain for one of the world’s outstanding defenders in his age group.

Ndukwe coach unsure about LFC move

Ndukwe doesn’t turn 18 until March - meaning the Merseysiders have had to wait before securing his signature. Once he turns 18 however the strapping defender will be entitled to complete his move.

The first opportunity to do so will be in the summer transfer window - and it remains to be seen whether he will step into the first-team picture at once.

If it were up to national U18 manager Hermann Stadler Ndukwe would have remained in his homeland in order to pursue the first steps of his professional career.

“He’s developed superbly and will go far,” he told the paper via Sport Witness.

“I would have liked to see him play in Austria for another year. In two or three years, we’ll see if it was the right move.”

Nonetheless with big changes on the horizon in the Liverpool backline Ndukwe will surely have his chance to stake a claim.

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