Forget Branthwaite! The solution to Man Utd's woes plays in the Bundesliga

Tom Weber

Updated: 7 May 2024 16:49 BST
8 min read

Castello Lukeba is one of football's most promising centre-backs.

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The 21-year-old has been pretty much an ever-present for RB Leipzig since arriving from Olympique Lyon for €30 million last summer. A high-potential, left-footed centre-back, Lukeba has been a sought-after commodity for some time and he has certainly lived up to his promise this season.

Far from the most dazzling centre-back, the Frenchman goes about his business in a quiet, calm and confident manner and he has been one of the Bundesliga's most solid defenders even if he doesn't spray highlight-reel passes like Mats Hummels and Kevin Schlotterbeck at Borussia Dortmund or puts in eye-catching, imperious performances like Matthijs de Ligt at Bayern.

Not a lot has been said about Lukeba this season and this is actually a good thing for the most part. He was, however, also out of the side for a brief period, but he pretty quickly reclaimed his spot and has started every fixture in recent months. Last year, Lukeba was on the radar of Man Utd, among other top clubs, and in light of their evident defensive frailties, the Red Devils would do well to take another look at the 21-year-old.

Lukeba better than Branthwaite?

Man Utd are in the market for a left-footed centre-back and have been most prominently linked with Jarrad Branthwaite. FootballTransfers understands that the 21-year-old is keen on the move, but Everton definitely aren't. The Toffees may have to bite the bullet due to their ongoing struggle to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, but they will demand a pretty penny for his services.

Data from analytics firm SciSports suggests that Lukeba could be a better option for Man Utd. Not only is the Frenchman more comfortable with the ball at his feet, but he is also just regarded higher in general. SciSports in-house SciSkill and potential algorithm sees Lukeba come out on top in both categories.

Lukeba is already deemed a better player than his Everton counterpart and he has a fair bit more upside as well, ranking third among the world's best left-footed U21 centre-backs in terms of potential. Moreover, as per SciSports' Career Advice tool, he would be a much, much better fit for Man Utd, with the Red Devils his best-suited option along with his current club Leipzig.

SciSkill development

Future prediction (with uncertainty range)

Castello Lukeba
Jarrad Branthwaite

If that wasn't enough to convince the Man Utd hierarchy, there is also the potential financial aspect that ought to be taken into consideration. FootballTransfers has been told that Everton will demand north of €70m for Branthwaite. Lukeba, meanwhile, will have a €70m release clause next summer.

And this release clause is the only potential hold-up to a deal this summer. Because of the contract clause, Leipzig are under no pressure to sell him this year and, taking into account the recent news that they will attempt a title charge next season, they will be reluctant to entertain offers for a key player such as him.

On paper, Lukeba looks like one of the best solutions to Man Utd's defensive woes, but signing him this year will be incredibly difficult.