The Liverpool young centre-back has enjoyed an impressive Liverpool pre-season so far before leaving out on loan for the new season
Liverpool youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe
Liverpool youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe is not short of suitors (Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
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Liverpool youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe is not short of suitors and he reportedly already favour a move to Portugal. The 18‑year‑old, who joined from Austria Vienna in a £2.5million deal, is expected to be loaned out for the upcoming season.
Ndukwe impressed for the first team during pre‑season friendlies, but must now head out on loan due to work‑permit complications. Liverpool require a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) from the FA to secure a work visa from the Home Office, yet the defender does not currently qualify, with players needing 15 points across several criteria.
Having made just one senior appearance for Austria Vienna last season and being signed largely on the back of his standout performances at the Under‑17 World Cup in Qatar, he has not yet accumulated enough points to meet the senior international threshold.
At the time, his agent Georg Lederer confirmed the plan had changed after the defender failed to qualify for a visa.
"The fact is that in the 2025/26 Premier League season, clubs had two exception spots where they didn't have to reach this points target," he explained to ORF, as quoted by Sky Sports Austria. "In the new season, this extra rule will be reduced by one spot. A loan club will now be found where Ifeanyi can gain playing experience at a very high level."
According to The Mail, clubs in Portugal, Germany, Spain, Denmark and France have all enquired about taking Ndukwe on loan, but there is a growing sense that Portugal may be his preferred destination.
"I can't say which clubs we are in dialogue with, but I can confirm that we are in dialogue with Danish clubs about Ifeanyi Ndukwe," Lederer added. "The only thing I can say is that we are not talking about the top clubs in Denmark.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe in action during pre-season
Liverpool youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe in action during pre-season(Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
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"We are also talking to several foreign clubs, but right now we need to decide, in collaboration with Liverpool, where Ifeanyi will fit best. We are looking at several different parameters. First and foremost, it is about Ifeanyi getting a lot of playing time, and then Liverpool are also looking at what type of football clubs play, as they want him in a high-pressing defence, so it is a bit like what you see in Liverpool.
"Since Ifeanyi has just arrived at Liverpool, it is of course a loan agreement without an option to buy, but for now I can't say much more."
Liverpool paid around £2.6m for the teenager in January ahead of his planned move this summer, following his 18th birthday in March. Since then, he has caught the eye in defence during pre‑season outings against Sunderland, Wrexham, Leeds United and Monaco.
Virgil van Dijk, who partnered a player 17 years younger than him in Sunday's 3-2 defeat to Monaco, was left impressed by the youngster.
"Obviously I saw the games in pre-season in America," Van Dijk said. "He's a big talent, big guy and he wants to learn and I had a brief conversation with him, especially in the last couple of days. For him it is just progressing.
"I know he has to go on loan I think so let’s see where he ends up. Yeah [it's a shame he has to move on loan].
"I don’t know exactly what the rules are but the matter of fact is that he has to go on loan and wherever he goes, he needs to learn, get better and be ready when he comes back to hopefully stay there."