Man Utd, Real Madrid or Liverpool? €80m star kickstarts transfer battle

Tom Weber

• 29 Nov 2025 12:28 CST
• 4 min read

News

RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba is set to become one of the protagonists of the summer transfer window.

The France international is looking to take the next step in his career after three seasons at RB Leipzig, in which he has managed to establish himself as a very promising defensive prospect.

The 22-year-old was already highly rated during his time at boyhood club Lyon - prompting interest from Man Utd and others - and he has confirmed that he has bags of talent in the Bundesliga.

Ever since he arrived at Leipzig, Lukeba has been linked with moves to bigger clubs. In the summer, the defender was keen to leave Leipzig, but the Saxon club refused to sell him due to the departures of several key players like Benjamin Sesko and Xavi Simons.

They were able to do this because they had managed to agree a new contract with Lukeba in 2024, which saw them push his €80 million release clause from 2025 back to 2026, ultimately allowing them to keep hold of him this year.

Where could Lukeba end up?

Heading into 2026, the situation is quite clear: Lukeba is ready to move, and he will be free to do so in the summer if his clause is triggered. Previously, there were reports that Leipzig may acquiesce to a fee in the region of €60m, but this would be a surprise.

Given his price tag, only a handful of clubs will be able to sign him. According to Sky Germany, all the 'financially powerful' clubs in Europe have the 22-year-old on their radar.

But where could he end up? We know that the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid will prioritise the signing of a centre-back in 2026. Should Liverpool miss out on Marc Guehi, they could conceivably enter the race for Lukeba.

The same applies to Real Madrid, who are also interested in Guehi as well as Bayern centre-back Dayot Upamecano. Bayern are desperate to extend the Frenchman's contract, but if he departs, Lukeba will become an option as director Max Eberl, previously at Leipzig, is an admirer.

As mentioned above, Man Utd have been tracking Lukeba since he was a teenager. However, they want to add high-profile midfielders, and Ruben Amorim also wants a 'second Amad Diallo,' so the budget for a centre-back could be tight next year.

Chelsea look well-stocked in the defensive department when everyone is fit. At Stamford Bridge, Lukeba would have to compete with homegrown superstar Levi Colwill, and neither of the two would be willing to play second fiddle to the other.

Barcelona are scouring the centre-back market, but it is difficult to make any predictions about their ability to spend, given their constant issues with LaLiga's financial rules.

Man City, though, could be another realistic option. Nathan Ake's time at the club appears to be coming to an end, freeing up a spot for a defensive reinforcement.

Lukeba would be a very City-style signing, but there would be question marks about how he would fit into a team that already has Josko Gvardiol, the very man he replaced at Leipzig.

Ultimately, only time will tell where Lukeba may end up, but it is clear that he will be one to watch in the summer.

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