Liverpool are reportedly expected to sign 17-year-old centre-back Talla Ndiaye, though any transfer would be delayed until 2027 due to post-Brexit rules.
El Hadj Mor Talla Ndiaye, 17, is a left-footed centre-back who impressed at the U17 World Cup for Senegal late last year, featuring in all four games before his country’s exit.
Talla Ndiaye: Liverpool transfer report
• New defensive target: Liverpool are expected to sign 17-year-old Senegalese centre-back Talla Ndiaye, a left-footed prospect who stood out at the U17 World Cup.
• Age restriction on transfer: Due to Brexit rules, the move cannot be formalised until Ndiaye turns 18 on January 6, 2027, mirroring the situation of fellow target Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
• Youth rebuild: The addition of Ndiaye and Ndukwesignals a clear strategy to bolster the academy ranks alongside Celtic’s 15-year-old Dara Jikiemi.
According to Senegalese journalist Saikou Seydi, a well-informed reporter in the region, Liverpool are “expected” to sign the teenager “in the coming days.”
Ndiaye is on the books at Amitie FC, a professional club in Senegal’s second tier, and is regarded as a strong defender in the air, with both physicality and athleticism.
He operates as the left-sided centre-back, and while still in the early stages of his development, Liverpool have reportedly seen enough to make their move.
The caveat, however, is that if a transfer does eventuate, Ndiaye would not move to Merseyside any time soon, as clubs in the English top flight are prohibited from signing overseas players under the age of 18.
Ndiaye only celebrates his 18th birthday on January 6, 2027, meaning he would have to wait to formally make the switch, which is also the case for target Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
Liverpool are also in talks with Ndukwe, 17, in view of the 6’5″ centre-back joining in the summer after his 18th birthday, with plans for him to join Rob Page’s U21s for the start of pre-season in July.
The club have evidently made a move to bolster their youth centre-back ranks as Celtic’s 15-year-old Dara Jikiemi is also anticipated to join Liverpool, though with a younger age group.
Existing options at U21s level include Amara Nallo, Carter Pinnington and Wellity Lucky, the latter of whom has been in the first-team matchday squad six times, including for his debut.
Liverpool’s first-team centre-back search
Joe Gomez‘s return to fitness at Fulham bolsters Liverpool’s centre-back options back to three, though Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate share the majority of the workload.
The injury to Liverpool’s No. 2 showed how precarious the situation is in defence after missing out on Marc Guehi, who remains a target, though the club are reportedly prepared to wait until the summer.
The Crystal Palace captain’s teammate Maxence Lacroix has recently been name-checked in the centre-back discussion, as has Brentford‘s Nathan Collins and Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez.
The latter was heavily linked with nearing a January move by reports in his native Ecuador, but This Is Anfield understands there is zero truth in those particular claims.
It is an area of concern for the Reds, but with doubts over Arne Slot‘s future there is uncertainty over whether the club will invest this winter if a summer change awaits.