Castello Lukeba Arne Slot Liverpool
(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sat 31 May 2025 14:00, UK
Castello Lukeba could be on his way to Liverpool this summer after RB Leipzig’s season ended in disappointment, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have told him about Liverpool’s attempts to sign the centre-back.
Arne Slot is on the hunt for defensive reinforcements this summer as uncertainty lingers over Ibrahima Konate’s future at Anfield, with the Reds arguably in need of cover even if the Frenchman does stay put.
Konate’s international team-mate Lukeba’s reputation has gone from strength to strength at RB Leipzig since his switch from Lyon in 2023, and Aston Villa were keen on an “ambitious” move for him last year.
Lukeba’s four-year contract at RB Leipzig includes a £74million release clause, but sources have told Football Insider that their seventh-placed Bundesliga finish could give Liverpool a clear path to sign him.
Sources have told Football Insider that Leipzig’s failure to qualify for European football next term opens the door for interested clubs to provide Lukeba with that next step, and it’s left Liverpool on high alert.
Ibrahima Konate Real Madrid
Ibrahima Konate is linked with a move to Real Madrid (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
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Liverpool set to pursue £74m Lukeba transfer
Leipzig missing out on European qualification has already caused the vultures to circle for the likes of Xavi Simons this summer, and Lukeba could be another who takes the well-trodden path to Anfield.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke said Lukeba is high on Liverpool’s list of centre-back transfer targets, and that the Reds will attempt to barter Leipzig down from his £74m release clause.
“Lukeba is on the list… he’s really enhanced his strong reputation since moving to RB Leipzig a couple of seasons ago”, he told Football Insider.
“He’s under contract until 2029 and has a £74million release clause, but Leipzig haven’t qualified for European football next season so missing Europe may help to facilitate a deal.”
Castello Lukeba
Castello Lukeba’s form at RB Leipzig has attracted several suitors (Credit: Imago)
Lukeba transfer to continue Liverpool–Leipzig connection
Liverpool and Real Madrid aren’t on the best of terms after the Trent Alexander-Arnold saga, but that hasn’t stopped the Spanish giants from identifying Konate as another target for their new-look defence.
Lukeba could prove to be an ideal replacement if Konate does move on, and would follow a near-identical path to Anfield after a then 22-year-old Konate made his £36million switch from RB Leipzig back in 2021.
Strong relations between Liverpool and the Red Bull clubs can be seen in the 2020 and 2023 transfers of Takumi Minamino and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Salzburg and Leipzig respectively, and Lukeba could be the next cab off the rank.
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