Liverpool are planning to make changes to their centre-back department in 2026.
With Joe Gomez suffering from injury problems, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are the Reds’ only senior options in the middle of the back four right now.
However, that is expected to change as early as January, with a move for Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace on the cards.
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But even if Guehi is signed, Rousing The Kop previously revealed that Liverpool want two centre-backs to arrive.
Will Marc Guehi end up at Liverpool?
“If he goes in January or the summer, who knows? I hope he stays until then so we can have him a bit longer”
Adam Wharton on Marc Guehi leaving Crystal Palace
On that front, the Merseyside outfit may have just been handed some good news.
Real Madrid out of race for Liverpool target Castello Lukeba
David Ornstein dropped an update on Friday confirming that Real Madrid are not interested in Konate.
It likely means that the Frenchman, who we know is in talks over a new contract at Anfield, could stay beyond 2026.
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Elsewhere on November 28, The Athletic have mentioned how RB Leipzig stopper Castello Lukeba is no longer an option for Los Blancos.
This is great news for Liverpool and their ongoing search for defensive reinforcements.
After Jarell Quansah was sold in the summer, the Daily Mail reported that the Reds were looking into landing Lukeba from the Bundesliga powerhouse, but were expected to face competition.
Had Real Madrid remained interested in his services, it seems likely he would have opted for a move to Spain.
But now that they are out of the race, Liverpool should have a much easier time pursuing the Frenchman.
What Liverpool fans could expect from Castello Lukeba
The 22-year-old was signed from Lyon in 2023 and, despite some injury issues, has made 83 appearances for Leipzig.
He has already earned six caps for the French national team, and multiple managers and players have praised the stopper, as per the Bundesliga’s official website.
Ex-Lyon and current PSV coach Peter Bosz said: “He’s a real talent with real potential.”
Former Leipzig chief Max Eberl explained what type of player he is, saying: “He is left-footed and can play as a left-sided centre-back in both a back-three and a back-four.
“Castello’s main strengths are his tough-tackling nature, his pace, his positioning and how good he is on the ball.”
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