Liverpool agree deal to sign 17-year-old Austria Wien defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe

Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal to sign a new central defender as they look to make a strong start to the January transfer window.

Despite being the Premier League’s biggest spenders last summer, the Reds are expected to continue reinforcing their squad, with defence a key priority.

With Giovanni Leoni sidelined by a long-term injury and Ibrahima Konate nearing the final stages of his contract, Liverpool are also planning for the future.

According to reports in Austria and from Fabrizio Romano, the club have agreed terms with Austria Vienna for highly-rated centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe.

The 17-year-old, who turns 18 in March, is set to complete his move to Anfield in the summer and is viewed as a major prospect.

He has already represented Austria at Under-17 level, including at the World Cup in November, and is expected to start out with Liverpool’s Under-21s.

Ifeanyi Ndukwe is not the only defender on Liverpool’s radar. Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez has also been linked with a move, with reports in Ecuador claiming a deal is close.

An overall fee of £43million has been suggested, made up of £35m upfront and £8m in add-ons, though this is yet to be confirmed by sources close to Anfield.

Brugge are said to be open to selling the Ecuador international before the January window closes, having previously blocked a summer move to Marseille.

The links come despite Arne Slot recently suggesting he would be cautious about authorising expensive January signings, a stance once favoured by Jurgen Klopp before Liverpool broke precedent to sign Virgil van Dijk.

Read more: Liverpool close to signing Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez

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