Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are all interested in RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba, though face competition from Real Madrid.
The 22-year-old is on the radar of the Premier League trio ahead of the summer transfer window. Lukeba has caught the eye since signing for Leipzig from Lyon and has earned one senior cap for France.
🚨 Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all want to hijack Real Madrid’s summer move for RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba, who has a £74.5m release clause.
(Source: @CFBayern) pic.twitter.com/1Px8lz3Tez
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) February 22, 2025
His final season in France saw Lukeba lead Europe’s top five leagues for interceptions (2022/23) and he ranks in the top two percent of central defenders in Europe for successful take-ons across the last 12 months.
Liverpool are in the market for a centre-back with Virgil van Dijk’s contract situation still yet to be resolved, while Joe Gomez could move on in the summer in search of regular first-team football.
However, German journalist Christian Falk told CaughtOffside that English clubs face a difficult challenge to sign Lukeba, who has ‘set his sights’ on Real Madrid. Having signed a new contract with Leipzig in October, the player’s release clause is set at €90m (£74.5m).
“True: Real Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United have Castello Lukeba on their radar,” Falk said.
“The Leipzig defender extended his contract until 2029 in October – but plans are apparently already underway for a potential transfer in the summer. Lukeba and his agents have their sights set on a move to Real Madrid.
“Following the contract extension, the 22-year-old’s release clause will be €90m [£74.5m] for the upcoming transfer window.”
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