€10m discount! Chelsea target gets new release clause

Tom Weber

Updated: 26 Oct 2024 09:07 CDT
3 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

The release clauses in Castello Lukeba's RB Leipzig contract have been restructured, according to German media.

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The Frenchman has established himself as one of the Bundesliga's best young defenders, playing with a calmness and assuredness beyond his years. The ease with which Lukeba has made the centre-back position at RB Leipzig his own has been very impressive.

This has not only attracted the attention of Europe's elite, who had already been keeping tabs on him at Lyon, but it has also now convinced RB Leipzig to hand the 21-year-old improved terms.

Earlier this week, the Red Bulls announced that Lukeba's contract has been extended by a year. His new deal now runs until 2029 and the defender's salary has been brought in line with some of the club's bigger earners.

Intriguingly, Lukeba has also received a completely new release clause.

Leipzig protect Lukeba's value

Previously, the France youth international's deal was structured in a way to ensure that he would stay at the club at least until 2026. Lukeba had two release clauses, a whopping €90 million one for the summer of 2025 and a heavily reduced one of €65m for 2026.

Now, a third exit clause has been added. To get him to move next year, it will still require a world record-matching €90m, but it will also be extremely expensive to sign him in 2026.

According to Sky Germany, Leipzig have added an €80m release clause for 2026, moving his €65m exit option back to 2027. This way, the Bundesliga side have made sure that they either receive an eye-watering fee for the youngster or keep him until at least 2027.

Lukeba has been scouted by Chelsea and Real Madrid, two clubs who are certainly capable of paying €80m or €90m, though whether they will be prepared to do this is a different question.