Liverpool to sign Ndukwe

Liverpool will complete a deal to sign Austrian defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe, with the under-17 international arriving at Anfield from current club Austria Vienna in a deal worth around 8.4 million euros. The burly central defender is one of Europe's best young talents and Arne Slot's staff have been monitoring Ndukwe for several months and have beaten numerous teams to the youngster's signature, including Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

Bundesliga titans Dortmund and Bayern had already met Austria Vienna's asking price, but ultimately the lure of the Premier League won in Ndukwe's mind and he has agreed a transfer to move to England.

The player will move to Liverpool in the summer and complete the current campaign in the Austrian Bundesliga.

Ndukwe has signed a six year deal at Anfield and is seen as a long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, who is coming into the twilight of his career.

The 1.98m defender only just recently received a call up to the Austria Vienna full squad, promoted from the Young Violets, and has yet to make his debut.