Aston Villa have now joined Real Madrid in the race to sign a Bundesliga star, who has a release clause worth around as much as £78m this summer.
Aston Villa battling Real Madrid to sign £78m star
It's a big few months for Aston Villa, who still have work to do to keep hold of their top four spot and subsequent Champions League position. It would be the second time in three seasons that they've qualified for the elite competition and it would certainly be fully deserved.
Unai Emery's side have been excellent. They even found themselves in the Premier League's title picture for a brief moment, before injuries arrived and form dropped off.
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Unai Emery's side haven't been shy negotiating part-exchanges.
Champions League is and always has been the priority, though. It would instantly boost the Villans in their attempts to comply with the new SCR (Squad Cost Ratio) rules next season and crucially up their sporting revenue - something that will be crucial when the new regulations arrive.
But what would they spend their money on if they find themselves free from financial constraints?
On that front, recent rumours have mentioned Lewis Miley from Newcastle United, Lucas Bergvall from Tottenham Hotspur, and Celta Vigo's Oscar Mingueza. Both would provide key depth in Emery's squad, with the two youngsters particularly ones to watch for the future.
Morgan Rogers is also one to watch in the other direction. Aston Villa won't want to lose him, but undeniable interest could yet force their hand this summer.
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Unai Emery's side are making 'contingency plans'.
What his sale would at least do is free up funds for Emery to finally spend, and that could result in the arrival of an impressive Bundesliga star ahead of their rivals.
According to Sports Boom, Aston Villa have joined the race to sign Castello Lukeba from RB Leipzig ahead of Real Madrid and Arsenal. The defender has a release clause worth around €90m (£78m), though could be available for around €60m (£52m) this summer.
"Elite" Castello would transform Aston Villa
If Aston Villa want to bridge the gap between Champions League qualification and title contention, then signing a player of Lukeba's calibre would certainly be one way to do it.
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Alas, it will not be an easy deal to pull off. Real Madrid need a centre-back, themselves, and if it's not going to be Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate, then it could be Lukeba. The Spanish giants are sniffing around and money will not be the same issue for them as it could be for Villa.
Dubbed an "elite centre-back in the making" by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Lukeba could steal plenty of headlines if he leaves Leipzig this summer.