Liverpool namechecked as defender reveals transfer ambition after ‘receiving calls’

The Reds options at the heart of defense have been a major talking point this season, with the club securing deals for four young center-backs in January, in addition to Giovanni Leoni’s arrival last summer

Helsingborgs defender Demba N’Diaye has revealed his desire to play for Liverpool or Real Madrid in the future.

The center-back said in a recent interview that he has received calls about possible interest from clubs elsewhere in Europe, although he did not disclose the identity of those teams. The 20-year-old is highly regarded and, despite only joining Swedish side Helsingborgs in January, has been linked with a move away from the club.

Speaking to Fotboll Direkt, N’Diaye said: “I’ve received a couple of phone calls. I know there’s interest, but right now I’m just concentrating on Helsingborg and doing as well as possible here. Then we’ll see what happens.

“To join a major club in the world. Liverpool, Real Madrid or something like that. To play in the Champions League, and to win the African Cup of Nations with Senegal.”

Fotboll Direkt adds that interest has come from the UK, but does not specifically reference Liverpool.

N’Diaye has only made two appearances for Helsingborgs, having signed a three-year deal with the club at the start of 2026.

He was released by Angers at the end of the 2024/25 season, having spent three years with the club.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s centre-back options have been under the microscope in recent months. The Reds have struggled with just three fit options at the heart of defense this term, following Giovanni Leoni’s long-term injury in September.

Liverpool has also moved to secure a deal for Jeremy Jacquet, who will arrive next summer from Rennes.

The future of Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate remain uncertain; the latter’s contract expires at the end of the season and there has been no breakthrough in negotiations over a new deal.

Senegalese defender Mor Talla Ndiaye also joined Liverpool in January and, after recovering from an injury, has played twice for the Under-21s.

Austria youth international Ifeanyi Ndukwe will join the Reds next summer when he turns 18, while Noah Adekoya signed from Burnley during the winter window.

It all feeds into Liverpool’s overarching policy on recruiting center-backs, with the club ideally prioritizing players in the 18-21 age bracket.

Whether N’Diaye fits into that conversation is unknown, but the defender’s comments may hint at potential Liverpool interest.