Man Utd target 'next Josko Gvardiol' as release clause revealed

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 24 Oct 2024 10:04 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United are targeting RB Leipzig's Castello Lukeba but the club have reached a stumbling block as the defender has just penned a new deal which includes a release clause

Now the Premier League giants will have to fork out €90million to sign the Frenchman, while his contract now extends to 2029.

It's thought that Leipzig are aware of the interest in Lukeba, hence the release being inserted in his deal. 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.

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Lukeba moved from Leipzig to Lyon in 2023 and French outlet RMC Sport reports Real Madrid and United were looking to make an offer for in the summer of 2025.

Erik ten Hag led recruitment as United signed emerging star Leny Yoro during the last transfer window from Lille, though he was hit with a pre-season injury.

Current ETV

Castello Lukeba

D (C)

RB Leipzig

Castello Lukeba

D (C)

RB Leipzig

€41.5M

ETV Range

€31.1M - €51.9M

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The Dutchman also bolstered his defence by signing Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich. The centre-back enjoyed his best years under him at Ajax.

Castello Lukeba latest

The German side signed Lukeba to replace Josko Gvardiol, who left to Manchester City as the most expensive defender of all time. Comparisons have been made between Lukeba and the Croatian as both can play as a left-back.

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Real Madrid, meanwhile, are eager to sign Lukeba following their failure to sign the aforementioned Yoro earlier this year. The La Liga giants baulked at the huge fee Lille were asking for, with the Ligue 1 outfit reaching a €62m deal with United, despite his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) being just €35.5m.

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.