Romano reveals Real Madrid eye new 'Mbappe of defenders'

Tom Weber

Updated: 27 Sept 2024 16:45 BST
3 min read

Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on Castello Lukeba, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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The RB Leipzig defender has been in the news a lot in recent days. Regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in Europe, Lukeba has been making a name for himself for some time.

The 21-year-old was on the shortlist of many a top club when he decided to leave Olympique Lyon in 2023, but it was ultimately the Bundesliga side that managed to secure his signature.

Since then, the interest of Europe's elite has only increased and strong links with Chelsea emerged recently. Early on Friday, Fabrizio Romano played down suggestions that the Blues were already making genuine attempts to sign Lukeba, though he did confirm their interest.

He also mentioned that "clubs from Spain" were following his development. Now, he has specified exactly which club he was talking about.

Real Madrid's Yoro alternative

The club in question is Real Madrid, according to Romano. Los Blancos remain in the market for a new centre-back after missing out on Leny Yoro to Man Utd in the summer.

Yoro was seen internally as the 'Kylian Mbappe of defenders' but the Spanish giants were ultimately blown out of the water by the Red Devils, who decided to put a whopping €70 million on the table for the teenager.

This has led to Real Madrid looking at other 'Mbappe-like' defenders and Lukeba is one of the options for the 2025 summer window. Romano expects the Frenchman to be 'expensive, for sure,' but insists that he will be 'one of the names to mention' next year.

At this stage, of course, things are not developing and Leipzig won't sell in January after cashing in on Mohamed Simakan late in the previous window, but the interest in Lukeba is 'concrete.'