Austria coach raises concerns as Liverpool agree deal for Ifeanyi Ndukwe

Liverpool’s move for teenage centre-back Ifeanyi Ndukwe has been confirmed in Austria, but not without reservations from those closest to the player’s development.

Austria U18 head coach Hermann Stadler has spoken openly about Ndukwe’s impending switch to Liverpool, admitting the transfer represents both a major opportunity and a significant gamble.

Interest in the 17-year-old Austria Vienna defender has been building for months. Earlier this month, Austrian outlet Kurier reported that Liverpool, Inter Milan and several other European clubs were tracking Ndukwe closely.

Those reports suggested Liverpool had won the race, with the Premier League side allowing Austria Vienna to retain the player temporarily while agreeing a fee in the region of €7m.

However, Monday’s edition of Kronen Zeitung offers a revised valuation. They claim the deal will see Austria Vienna receive up to €4.2m — notably lower than initial estimates — with Ndukwe expected to complete his move to Anfield in the summer.

Ndukwe’s rapid rise has been fuelled by his performances at the U17 World Cup in November. The centre-back was a key figure in Austria’s run to the final in Qatar, starting every match except the semi-final, which he missed through suspension.

Those displays under Stadler appear to have convinced Liverpool’s recruitment team to invest early in his potential as part of Arne Slot’s long-term planning.

While proud of his player’s progress, Stadler made it clear he is not entirely convinced the timing is ideal.

“He’s developed superbly and will go far,” Stadler told Kronen Zeitung. “I would have liked to see him play in Austria for another year. In two or three years, we’ll see if it was the right move.”

The comments underline a familiar dilemma for elite young talents: balancing early exposure at a top club with the need for regular senior football during key developmental years.

Ndukwe will turn 18 in March, a detail that affects the immediate logistics of the move. Due to post-Brexit regulations, he cannot relocate to the UK until he reaches that age, ruling out any January arrival at Anfield.

Liverpool are therefore expected to finalise the transfer for the summer, giving Austria Vienna time to plan without losing the defender mid-season.

Ndukwe will remain in Austria until at least the end of the season before completing his move to Liverpool in the summer. Attention will then turn to how the Reds integrate the teenager into their development pathway under Arne Slot.

Is an early move to Liverpool the right step for Ndukwe’s development, or would another year in Austria have been the safer option?