Liverpool is set to conclude a transfer deal to sign the young Senegalese center-back Mor Ndiaye from Amitie FC, while the Reds are also in talks to bring in Ifeanyi Ndukwe from Austria Vienna.
Ndiaye plays in the second tier in his homeland and recently turned 18. The young defender — whose full name is El Hadji Mor Talla Ndiaye — impressed at the recent U17 World Cup in Qatar, starting all four games at the tournament, which ended with Senegal’s elimination by Uganda in the round of 32 stage.
Ndiaye will help bolster Liverpool’s defensive options at youth level. Because of a lack of senior alternatives, Wellity Lucky has become an almost permanent fixture in Arne Slot’smatchday squads of late.
Ndiaye is a left-footed center-back who plays on that side. He would bolster Rob Page’s U21s team to begin with, where the Reds are looking to increase their options.
Ndukwe, meanwhile, is 17 and would move to Merseyside in the summer should a deal be confirmed. He is yet to make his senior debut in Austria but has made the bench at that level nine times.
Born to a Nigerian father and Russian mother, Ndukwe is a regular for Austria U17s. He was a mainstay in the team as they made the final of the U17 World Cup in November. They lost to Portugal in the final.
Ndukwe is a quick defender, who is good in possession. He is tall and front-footed, often proactively snuffing out the danger. Like with Ndiaye, he will begin life with the Reds’ youth set-up.
At the moment, Liverpool is lacking center-back options at senior level after it missed out on signing Marc Guehi at the last minute in September. That deal broke down when Crystal Palace failed to source a replacement.
Earlier this month, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner admitted that a big enough offer would mean Guehi departingSelhurst Park this month. However, there is no guarantee that one is placed on the table.
Liverpool — and the other interested parties — could move for Guehi in the summer when he becomes a free agent. Clubs around Europe including Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also said to be keen.
“I never talk about transfers in public, let alone about a transfer for maybe another club,” Slot said when asked about the possibility of competing with Manchester City for Guehi’s signature this month.
“You can try, but my answer is always the same. We don’t talk about players that are not ours.”