Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea dealt transfer setback in fight for RB Leipzig star

RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba is hot property and the Frenchman has a £74.5million release clause that kicks into gear in July which is of particular interest to several Premier League clubs

Real Madrid could be set to disrupt Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United’s summer transfer plans by muscling in on RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba.

Los Blancos have identified William Saliba as their dream defensive signing but acknowledge that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to prise the Frenchman away from Arsenal at the end of the season.

But Madrid also have Lukeba, who has been heavily scouted by the Premier League trio this season, high on their shortlist and are expected to switch attention to the 22-year-old if their advances for Saliba fail to bear fruit.

The France international signed fresh terms with Leipzig back in October and his new contract contains a release clause worth in the region of £74.5m that becomes active on July 1.

Stubborn negotiators Leipzig are unlikely to budge below that figure given there is stiff competition for Lukeba’s signature and additionally, they are under no immediate pressure to sell.

In 2026, the release clause will be slashed to £66m and it will also decrease to £54m in 2027 providing Lukeba is still with the German club.

With Liverpool, Chelsea and United all looking to strengthen their central defensive options this summer, Lukeba and Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, release clause of £50m, are both viewed as two of the best opportunities on the market.

The Reds have been eyeing a left-sided centre-back for the past few transfer windows but have been unable to identify the right target.

Anfield chiefs remain optimistic Virgil van Dijk will extend his stay at the club this summer while contract negotiations also remain ongoing with Ibrahima Konate.

But even if both stay put, Arne Slot would like to strengthen Liverpool’s defence options. The Dutchman has been left particularly short in that department following news of Joe Gomez’s recent hamstring injury.

Jurgen Klopp’s new role as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull is unlikely to bolster his former employer’s chances of landing Lukeba from Leipzig, however. Meanwhile, Chelsea would like to add a commanding centre-back to their squad to compliment their current options and further exits this summer cannot be discounted.

Manchester United remain hamstrung by financial issues and while Lukeba is a player of great admiration, he is likely to prove out of reach unless there are significant sales.

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