Ifeanyi Ndukwe was a breakout star during Liverpool's pre-season under Andoni Iraola, but the center-back needs to get game time elsewhere to qualify for a work permit
Liverpool center-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
Liverpool center-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe.(Image: Lewis Storey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
The Spanish side Levante is leading the race to sign Liverpool center-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe on loan for the coming season.
Ndukwe does not currently qualify for a work permit at Anfield and therefore needs to head out to gain experience elsewhere, with Sky Sports Austria reporting that a deal is close for him to join the La Liga side. Several clubs around Europe have been keen on him following a very promising pre-season from the 18-year-old.
Ndukwe arrived this summer from Austria Vienna in a deal worth around $3.5 million (£2.6 million). Along with Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, there are major hopes that he could be a star of the future.
Last season, Levante finished 16th in the Spanish top flight. It was level on points with Osasuna in 17th and also Real Mallorca, who was relegated.
However, so congested was the table that Levante was actually simultaneously only nine points off the European spots. It kicks off the new season with a trip to Osasuna next Monday.
Speaking to the Danish outlet Tipsbladet, Ndukwe’s agent, Georg Lederer, confirmed recently that he was in talks with a number of clubs, including some in Denmark.
Liverpool youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe
Liverpool youngster Ifeanyi Ndukwe is not short of suitors (Image: (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images))
"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 said.
"The only thing I can say is that we are not talking about the top clubs in Denmark.
"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 defense, so it is a bit like what you see in Liverpool.
Content Image
Content Image
"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 see much more."
Should Ndukwe play enough, he could potentially qualify for a work permit midway through the season. There is therefore a chance that he could return in January.
For any club interested in signing him, though, that would be a drawback.
Liverpool has signed Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan, while Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are out of contract next season as things stand. Ndukwe could form part of the longer-term plan as that comes together at center-back.