Spanish club Levante are frontrunners to secure a season-long loan move for Liverpool defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
The Nigerian-born Austrian is anticipated to depart on loan once Liverpool complete their pre-season preparations. Liverpool have received substantial interest in the centre-back following his standout displays during pre-season training under Andoni Iraola.
Ndukwe arrived from Austria Vienna at the beginning of July in a deal worth £2.6million that was originally struck in January after Liverpool scouts identified him during the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teenager was unable to relocate to England until after his 18th birthday in March, though a productive summer spell under Iraola has attracted further attention.
European clubs have approached Liverpool regarding Ndukwe, with sides from Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and Denmark all registering interest. The Merseyside club are taking a methodical approach to determining his next destination.
Playing opportunities remain the primary factor, given that the Austrian defender requires additional points to secure a UK work permit.
Levante have presented the most attractive package for both the player and Liverpool, with a potential transfer expected to be finalised before the month concludes. The Valencia-based club open their league season away to Osasuna on Monday, August 24, though no agreement has been finalised at present.
Liverpool were required to obtain a Governing Body Endorsement from the Football Association to assist Ndukwe in obtaining a work visa, though the defender does not currently satisfy the criteria, with players needing 15 points across various categories.
The tall centre-half has not represented Austria at senior level and made just one senior appearance last season, meaning he has yet to accumulate sufficient points through international duty.
The club’s Elite Significant Contribution place has already been filled by 18-year-old defender Mor Talla Ndiaye, who featured in the first-team squad towards the end of last season.
Ndukwe’s representative Georg Lederer stated last week that they need to determine, working alongside Liverpool, where the player would fit most effectively. He explained that several factors are being assessed, with primary focus on securing substantial playing time for Ifeanyi, while Liverpool are also evaluating the style of football at potential clubs, seeking environments with high-pressing defensive systems similar to Liverpool’s approach. Given that Ndukwe has only just arrived at Liverpool, any loan will be without a purchase option, though further details remain unavailable at this stage.
A switch to a league as competitive as La Liga could enable Ndukwe to gather the necessary points to facilitate a January return to his parent club for the second half of the Premier League season.
However, with Ronald Araujo now joining on a season-long arrangement from Barcelona, Jeremy Jacquet back to full fitness, and Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez anticipated to be available in the coming weeks, Liverpool may consider that a full campaign away from Anfield gaining senior experience would better serve Ndukwe’s progression.
After last week’s 3-2 defeat to Monaco at Anfield, captain Virgil van Dijk remarked that he had observed the pre-season fixtures in America. He described Ndukwe as a significant talent and a large individual who demonstrates eagerness to learn, noting they had exchanged words recently. Van Dijk suggested that for Ndukwe, progression is the key objective, acknowledging that a loan spell appears necessary and expressing hope that wherever he goes, the defender will develop and improve before returning prepared to establish himself permanently.