Man Utd target AGREES contract

Cameron Smith

22 Oct 2024 21:45 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Man Utd — © IMAGO

RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has reportedly reached an agreement to sign a one-year contract extension at the club.

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The Frenchman’s current deal isn’t due to expire until 2028, but he has agreed to extend his stay with the Bundesliga giants by a further 12 months, according to RMC Sport.

Lukeba is wanted by Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool, while Chelsea have also been linked with the 21-year-old in recent months as they continue scouting the best young talents in world football.

Furthermore, despite his recent contract extension, Lukeba could still be on the move in 2025, as per Fabrice Hawkins.

Leipzig are aware of significant interest in the Frenchman’s services and reports suggest he will be available for €90 million next summer due to a release clause in his contract at RB Leipzig.

However, that release clause will automatically be lowered to €65m in 2026, meaning interested parties may opt to wait for a further year before lodging a serious pursuit.

Castello Lukeba latest

Lukeba was wanted by Man Utd before his move to RB Leipzig last summer, but he decided to seal a move to the Bundesliga side instead following Josko Gvardiol’s departure to Manchester City.

The Red Devils remain interested in the 21-year-old, despite the summer arrivals of Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt, and could push to sign him in 2025 as INEOS continue to stamp their significant authority at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are eager to sign Lukeba following their failure to sign the aforementioned Yoro earlier this year.

Current ETV

Castello Lukeba

D (C)

RB Leipzig

Castello Lukeba

D (C)

RB Leipzig

ETV Range

€31.1M - €51.9M

Los Blancos sold Nacho Fernandez to Saudi Arabia during the summer transfer window and with David Alaba still sidelined with an ACL injury, they are hoping to bolster their backline with a new central defender in 2025.

Furthermore, the Spanish giants are also looking to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alphonso Davies in a bid to improve their options at full-back.