Ifeanyi Ndukwe is Liverpool’s biggest signing of the January window so far, set to join from Austria Wien in the summer.
As well as worrying about the centre-back situation at Liverpool at present, those tasked with recruitment have been shoring up the future of the defence as well.
After Mor Tialla Ndiaye, Liverpool reached an agreement for Ndukwe amid interest from Inter Milan.
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The 17-year-old is a HUGE prospect
Austria's Ifeanyi Ndukwe celebrates after scoring during the FIFA U17 World Cup match against England (Credit: Getty Images/Jurij Kodrun - FIFA).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Jurij Kodrun/FIFA
DOB: 03/03/2008
Position: Centre-Back
Favoured foot: Right/both
Height: 1.98m
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It looks a shrewd bit of business for a player who starred at the U17 World Cup. However, his national team coach has concerns about the career-altering decision.
Austria U18s coach has mixed feelings over Ifeanyi Ndukwe to Liverpool
Ndukwe is still only 17, turning 18 in March and only then becoming eligible to move to the UK.
Going to a club of Liverpool’s stature at such a young age will always run certain risks, but the Reds have deemed it the right decision.
Hermann Stadler, manager of Austria’s U18 side, recently spoke to Kronen Zeitung (via Sport Witness) about the move, and he seems less sure.
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He says: “He’s [Ndukwe] developed superbly and will go far. 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.”
Tomas Soares of Portugal is challenged by Austria's Ifeanyi Nduwke during a match at the FIFA U17 World Cup
Photo by Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images
This is a common concern held by coaches, and it makes sense for a couple of reasons. Ndukwe’s age and inexperience mean there are no guarantees of success with this move. Also, there is the issue of lower-level leagues having their biggest talents poached at such a young age.
Centre-back is possibly the most difficult position for a youngster to nail down, but Liverpool see a special talent in Ndukwe. Stadler does too, and that’s why he doesn’t want to see it go to waste.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe could compete with Giovanni Leoni next season
We don’t yet know the ceiling of Giovanni Leoni, who barely got a run for Liverpool before a horrific injury ended his debut season at Anfield.
He should be back in contention next season, by which point Ndukwe will be 18.
Obviously, Leoni is held in much higher regard for what he has done in his career to this point. By the time the two are together at Liverpool, though, Ndukwe could be nearing those same levels of experience.
Who should be Liverpool’s top centre-back target after missing out on Marc Guehi?
Micky van de Ven pictured during Tottenham Hotspurs' Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej).
Alessandro Bastoni warms up ahead of the Serie A match between Inter Milan and Torino at San Siro Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Marco Luzzani).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej/Marco Luzzani
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Obviously, Liverpool need to sign some elite options for the back line in the summer, but we could also see a tense battle between those two youngsters, both of whom will be smelling opportunity amid Ibrahima Konate’s contract uncertainty.
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