Liverpool have initiated talks to secure the signing of a highly-rated young central defender, moving against the recent public comments of manager Arne Slot regarding January recruitment.
Future Planning for Anfield Defence
The Reds are reportedly in the process of agreeing a deal to sign 17-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austrian club Austria Vienna. The Athletic reports that the club hopes to finalise an arrangement for the teenager to join in time for pre-season training in July.
Due to Premier League regulations on signing minors from abroad, Ndukwe cannot officially complete a move until he turns 18 in March. Such early agreements are common, with Chelsea's deals for Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez serving as recent precedents.
Initially, the 6ft 5in defender would join Liverpool's under-21s development squad, overseen by Rob Page. However, the club's hierarchy, including new director of global talent Matt Newberry who identified the player, view him as a prospect with clear potential to progress to the senior setup.
Ndukwe's Rising Profile
Ndukwe has built a strong reputation in youth football. He was a key part of the Austria squad that reached the final of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in November 2025, even scoring against England during the tournament.
His club career has also advanced rapidly. After rising through the ranks at Austria Vienna, he became a regular for their reserve side during the 2024/25 season and signed a new three-year professional contract in the summer of 2025.
Defensive Context and Ongoing Pursuits
This move for a future talent comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Liverpool's central defensive options. The club saw a summer move for Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi collapse at the last minute after allowing Jarell Quansah to depart.
Current first-team dynamics add to the need for long-term planning. Ibrahima Konate's contract expires at the end of the season, while summer signing Giovani Leoni has been sidelined since suffering an ACL injury in his first start for the club in September. Joe Gomez is also currently out with a hamstring problem.
Despite this, manager Arne Slot publicly downplayed the likelihood of a January centre-back signing last month. He pointed to the injuries to Leoni and Gomez as tough moments that most squads must navigate.
Liverpool's interest in the more established 25-year-old Marc Guehi remains, but they face significant competition. With his Palace contract expiring in the summer, foreign giants like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich can now negotiate a pre-contract agreement. Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been adamant he does not want to lose his defender this month.
The pursuit of Ndukwe represents a strategic shift towards securing defensive talent for the future, even as the club continues to monitor opportunities to strengthen the immediate first-team picture.
