Liverpool are in talks to sign highly-rated defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna, according to The Athletic.
The Reds are in the market to bolster their defensive options after a long-term injury to Giovanni Leoni earlier this season, while a deal to sign Marc Guehi during the summer transfer window collapsed on Deadline Day.
Ibrahima Konate's contract is set to expire in the summer and Virgil Van Dijk is 34 now, and the club have made it a priority to strengthen their defence, with 17-year-old Ndukwe now emerging as a top target for the future.
Liverpool In Talks to Sign Ndukwe
Arne Slot
Ndukwe has emerged as a top young central defensive prospect in recent times, and was part of the Austria Under-17's squad which reached the World Cup final in November, where they suffered defeat to Portugal.
But the centre-back is now in talks about a potential move to Anfield in 2026, although any deal won't be possible until the summer due to Brexit rules. Ndukwe doesn't turn 18 until March, but talks are already underway about a pre-agreement so he can be part of the pre-season squad in the summer.
It's understood that the player would initially join the club as part of the academy squad, with a view to breaking into the first-team in the coming years, after he was identified by the club's global director of talent Matt Newberry.
At 6ft 5, the teenager is a physically imposing young defender, who has made rapid progress through the youth ranks at Austria Vienna, even being named on the bench for the first-team this season - although he has yet to make his senior debut.