Chelsea have enquired about the availability of 21-year-old Manchester United defensive target Castello Lukeba ahead of a potential move.
According to a report by TEAMtalk, Chelsea are looking to reinforce their defence, and they are interested in having Castello Lukeba in their ranks. They have enquired about the 21-year-old’s availability ahead of a potential transfer in the summer. But the Blues face stiff competition from Manchester United heading into the summer transfer window.
Castello Lukeba’s incredible rise
Lukeba came up the ranks at Lyon and made a name for himself while playing for the French club’s first team. On the back of his impressive rise, RB Leipzig forked out €34 million to sign the French centre-back last summer.
Since making the move to Germany, the 21-year-old has featured in 37 matches and has racked up over 2,600 minutes. He has slowly established himself as a mainstay in the team, and his performances in the league as well as the UEFA Champions League have not gone unnoticed.
Castello Lukeba is a left-footed centre-back who is comfortable on the ball and can help teams play out from the ball. His traits, huge potential and impressive performances make him a highly sought-after player in Europe.
Manchester United’s interest in the 21-year-old
Manchester United are one of the clubs that have been linked with the 21-year-old for a while now. They have struggled at the back because of multiple injuries to key defenders. They are expected to undergo major changes at the back in the summer.
A few of their senior defenders are expected to be on the move, and they are looking to replace them with young players who can help them in the short as well as long term. Lukeba’s profile is something that surely interests Manchester United. But they will face serious competition from Chelsea.
Chelsea enquire about Lukeba
Thiago Silva will most likely end his stint at the London club in the summer, and they are on the lookout for a player who can help them cope with his absence. The West London club feel the 21-year-old French defender could be an ideal fit for the club, and they have contracted Leipzig to enquire about him.
The Blues want to find out whether they will be able to land him this summer or not. And, this enquiry comes on the back of the several scouting trips that have taken place throughout the ongoing season. Meanwhile, Chelsea do have a boost in their pursuit as the player is open to a move to Stamford Bridge.
Signing Castello Lukeba won’t be that straightforward. While there is a €70 million release clause, it will be active at the end of next season. As a result, an interested party will have to fork out a significant fee to sign him in the summer with his contract at the German club running until June 2028.
