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Liverpool could be about to spend big again this summer with one potential target ready to move.
Liverpool are now at a cross-roads with regards to the future of centre-half Ibrahima Konate.
Recruitment departments across Europe will already be talking to clubs and agents looking to get a head start on their summer business. This year a World Cup complicates matters with international teams likely to be hoovering up the most-wanted players before they have the chance to discuss possible transfers. Konate dithering on a new contract must be a source of huge frustration to Richard Hughes, who will want to get his affairs in order ahead of the window opening.
Liverpool target Castello Lukeba ready to move
The problem for Liverpool is, the longer that they wait for Konate, the more players who are on their shortlist might become unavailable. The respective sagas of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi are all the evidence that anyone needs as to the consequences of what can happen if indecisiveness strikes. The signing of Jeremy Jacquet is a great example of being proactive, although £60m is a lot of money for a 20-year old defender who has yet to be exposed to the highest echelons of football. Liverpool obviously like what they have seen though and moved quickly to prevent a bidding war in the summer.
Another player who is a similar profile to Jacquet was linked last summer too with RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba attracting a lot of attention. Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has reported that the France Under-21 international has a release clause of £69m, but that he could be sold for less than was paid for Jacquet: “Castello Lukeba is open to taking the next step in the summer. Several top clubs are closely monitoring the 23 y/o left-footed centre-back from RB Leipzig. His release clause is €80m, though Leipzig could be willing to sell for around €70m. Contract valid until 2029. Max Eberl is still a big admirer and has been monitoring him for FC Bayern, but a move currently appears unrealistic (Kim, price, etc.).”
As they did last summer, Liverpool have a decision to make, knowing that Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk won’t be around forever and that they could tie up their central defences options for the next 10 years in one transfer window.
Why Lukeba could be perfect for Liverpool
Lukeba is hugely ambitious and Anfield could be the perfect place for him to play his football. When asked recently about transfer speculation, he said via Bild: “My goal is to get back into Europe with Leipzig,” said Lukeba. “Because only watching the Champions League on TV is extremely painful. I’m not thinking any further ahead than that. We have to stay focused. The season is long. Last year we also started well and then had big problems.
“My dream is to become world champion, or to win the Champions League someday. I don’t dream of playing for a specific club. Rather, I dream of winning titles – because that’s what you remember most at the end of your career.” If Lukeba wants to win titles, Anfield might not be a bad place for him to do it, unless Liverpool leave it to the last minute again.
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