Liverpool have sealed a deal to sign 17-year-old centre back Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna, reports have revealed.
The 6’5″ defender has made plenty of noise at youth level in Austria and was part of the side that fell to Portugal in the final of the Under-17 World Cup in November, catching the eye of plenty of scouts from across the globe.
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Inter are known to have taken a particular interest in Ndukwe but, as first revealed by Austrian outlet Kurier, it is Liverpool who have won the race to sign the talented teenager in what is described as a “multi-million euro deal.”
Local reports have specified the fee at an initial €3 million (£2.6 million, $3.5 million).
The news was quickly backed up by Fabrizio Romano, who noted Ndukwe had also rejected interest from clubs in Germany in favour of reaching an agreement with Liverpool.
While everything has been agreed now, FIFA rules state Ndukwe cannot make the move to England until he turns 18. With his birthday coming up in March, Ndukwe will only be permitted to head to Anfield in the summer.
Seen initially as an academy signing, Liverpool are confident Ndukwe has what it takes to make the senior breakthrough in the near future.