Article body analysed
By LUKE POWER Published: 09: 11 AEST, 3 July 2025 | Updated: 09: 12 AEST, 3 July 2025 4 View comments Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing wantaway RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba - but will likely have to tussle for him. The Reds are ramping up their search for a centre-back after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £35million. Lukeba, 22, has established a strong reputation over the past few seasons at Lyon and Leipzig and earned himself a senior France cap. But the 6ft0in star is also the subject of interest from Bayern Munich and Tottenham, according to French outlet Foot Mercato. They write that while his release clause is set at almost £78million, Leipzig have an informal agreement to let him leave for less. But his deal runs until 2029, so he will likely not come cheap, and he has previously been linked with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Real Madrid. Liverpool are reportedly interested in RB Leipzig's 22-year-old centre-back Castello Lukeba Bayern Munich and Tottenham are also said to be keen on the one-time France international Arne Slot must shore up his defence after selling Jarell Quansah, with Ibrahima Konate's future also up in the air Lukeba, who starred for the France under-21s at this summer's Euros, has been compared to Josko Gvardiol, another physical defender who left Leipzig for Manchester City in 2023. He is left footed and typically plays on that side of the defence, able to slot into a back three or four. Liverpool have had their way in the transfer market this summer after signing Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez for a combined sum of at least £169. 5m. But they must plan ahead given the contract situation concerning Ibrahima Konate. The Frenchman's deal is up in a year and so far negotiations have failed to result make significant progress. Real Madrid’s interest is real and Paris Saint-Germain have also been mooted as a potential destination for Konate, 26. Lukeba is not the only target Liverpool have been setting their sights on. Arne Slot's side are also keen on Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who reciprocates their interest. Their chances of snapping up the Crystal Palace captain will depend on the price demanded by the FA Cup winners. There is talk Liverpool will try to lowball Palace at £30million, whereas Palace would demand around £50m. Last year the Eagles rejected a £65m bid from Newcastle but now he only has a year left on his deal at Selhurst Park.
Share what you think
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mail Online.
By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on Mail Online. To do this we will link your Mail Online account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group