Chelsea and Man Utd 'register interest' in €90m superstar

Tom Weber

Updated: 12 Feb 2025 20:40 GMT
4 min read

Ruben Amorim, Man Utd, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Chelsea and Manchester United are among the clubs interested in Castello Lukeba, who is planning to leave RB Leipzig this summer, according to German media.

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The Frenchman has become one of the Bundesliga's most highly-rated defenders since joining Leipzig as a replacement for Josko Gvardiol. Lukeba has adequately filled the Man City star's shoes and has attracted the attention of bigger clubs.

The 22-year-old was already being linked with an exit last summer but decided to stay in Germany to continue his development. Real Madrid and Chelsea were both named among his suitors at the time.

Despite Leipzig's poor season, the interest in their high-potential players has persisted and Lukeba falls firmly into that category. Unlike last summer, the centre-back is now ready to take the next step.

Lukeba wants out

At least that is according to BILD, which claims that Lukeba is looking to leave Leipzig in the summer. The player even has a preferred destination in mind: Real Madrid, who are looking to revamp their backline in the next window.

However, the German outlet points out that Chelsea also remain keen and have officially registered their interest, as have Man Utd and Liverpool. It remains to be seen if Leipzig will be willing to negotiate for the Frenchman.

Lukeba fairly recently extended his contract, which saw a €90 million release clause added for the summer and his original €80m one pushed back to 2026. The Bundesliga outfit are therefore in a secure position and can safely demand that suitors cough up the €90m.

However, Leipzig could feel compelled to sell. The Red Bulls usually target at least one big sale per summer window to balance the books, but the upcoming transfer period may require more than one lucrative exit.

Leipzig have shattered their transfer record to make Xavi Simons' loan from PSG permanent for a €50m fee that can rise to €80m via difficult-to-achieve bonuses. That sum will be offset by the anticipated sale of Benjamin Sesko, who will command around €65m.

If Leipzig want to spend more, they will have to cash in on another player, although a lot will, of course, also depend on Champions League qualification, which is far from a certainty at this point.