Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Real Madrid are reportedly interested in signing 22-year-old French defender Castello Lukeba from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.
According to a report by Christian Falk on Caught Offside, Castello Lukeba is the subject of interest from Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United are also keen on signing the RB Leipzig centre-back. However, the French defender is eager to join Real Madrid, with his contract with the Bundesliga club having a release clause worth €90 million.
Castello Lukeba and his career so far
Castello Lukeba has established himself as one of the best young prospects in the Bundesliga since joining RB Leipzig from Lyon in August 2023. A native of Lyon, the Frenchman spent his formative years in his homeland and graduated from Les Gones’ youth division several seasons ago.
The 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength in the last 18 months, and he has been a regular for RB Leipzig. Lukeba has turned out over 50 times thus far for RB Leipzig while chipping in with one goal. Meanwhile, the youngster’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, including Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Real Madrid.
A man in demand
Chelsea will likely dip into the market for a centre-back heading into the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah’s long-term futures. So, Lukeba has emerged as a viable target for Chelsea. As for Liverpool, Virgil van Dijk has entered the final six months of his contract.
While the Liverpool captain might sign a new contract with the Merseyside outfit, he is on the wrong side of 30. So, Castello Lukeba is a viable target for the Reds. Meanwhile, Manchester United’s interest in the French defender makes sense, considering Lisandro Martinez is a long-term absentee. Meanwhile, Johnny Evans is in the twilight of his career.
As for Real Madrid, Eder Militao is recovering from a second long-term knee injury in as many seasons. In addition, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are on the wrong side of 30. So, Lukeba has emerged as a viable target, although the 22-year-old Frenchman will not come cheap, considering his release clause of €90 million.
However, the French defender has boosted Real Madrid’s prospects, as he wants to move to the Santiago Bernabeu if he leaves RB Leipzig in the summer transfer window. So, it will be interesting to see if Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United can turn Lukeba’s head if they are ready to cough up €90 million to secure his services.
