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Premier League Giants Join Real Madrid in Race for Castello Lukeba
RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba is set to be at the center of a massive summer transfer battle, with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea joining Real Madrid in pursuit of the highly-rated French centre-back.
Lukeba’s Rapid Rise in Bundesliga
At just 22 years old, Castello Lukeba has established himself as one of Europe’s most promising defenders. After making the switch from Lyon to RB Leipzig in 2023, the left-footed centre-back has continued to impress, drawing interest from Europe’s top clubs.
Real Madrid’s Interest Grows
🚨 Real Madrid were already monitoring Lukeba last summer but decided to wait and see how he adapted to Bundesliga football. Now, after a standout season, Los Blancos are keen to bring him to the Santiago Bernabéu as a long-term defensive option.
Premier League Clubs Enter the Race
Reports from SPORTBILD suggest that Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool have all expressed interest in securing Lukeba’s signature this summer.
✅ Manchester United – Looking for defensive reinforcements amid uncertainty over Raphael Varane’s future.
✅ Liverpool – Seeking a young, ball-playing centre-back to complement Virgil van Dijk.
✅ Chelsea – Always active in the market for top young talents, with a strong French connection.
€90M Release Clause & Leipzig’s Stance
🔹 Lukeba signed a new contract in October, keeping him at Leipzig until 2029.
🔹 His deal includes a €90 million (£75.1m) release clause, a figure he believes reflects his value.
🔹 Leipzig have shown flexibility on release clauses in the past, meaning a deal could be structured with a slightly higher fee paid in installments rather than a lump sum.
With Lukeba’s representatives already working behind the scenes, clubs are being encouraged to step up their pursuit before the transfer window opens.
Who Will Win the Race for Lukeba?
With Real Madrid and three Premier League giants all in contention, where do you think Castello Lukeba should go this summer?
💬 Should he join Madrid’s elite defense, or make his mark in the Premier League?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below! 👇













