“Lukeba estaría encantado de ir al Barcelona,” aseguró Fabrizio Romano in a YouTube update as the club weighs its January options.
FC Barcelona is monitoring RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba as the sporting department evaluates winter reinforcements, according to fichajes.com.
The 23-year-old French center-back remains under contract until June 2029, yet he seeks a new destination in the coming months. His release clause drops to 65 million euros at the end of the season, down from an estimated 80 million euros in January.
SPORT reported that Lukeba changed representation recently to ease his exit from the German club, joining Excellence SPORT. Romano explained that while the player’s dream involves joining a major European club, Barcelona never presented a formal offer during the previous summer window.
Sports Illustrated said that Barcelona’s squad planning faced scrutiny in the rear guard following Ronald Araújo’s loan move to Liverpool. Hansi Flick’s side currently leads LaLiga with 30 points from 33 available.
Ekrem Konur reported via YSscores that Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich have entered the race for the defender. Liverpool views the player as a potential future successor to Virgil van Dijk, according to Football Transfers via YSscores.
Sky Germany reported that Lukeba considers it the right moment to join an elite European club and improve his prospects with the French national team. He has made 11 appearances out of 14 matches for Leipzig this campaign despite minor muscle issues.
Deco would prefer to secure a defender in January, but Leipzig has maintained that the player will not leave during the winter window. SPORT reported that any permanent move requires Barcelona to clear space by selling a defender first.
Romano dismissed recent links between the Catalan club and Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, stating that no negotiations or contacts exist between the clubs.
“El Chelsea no está en contacto con nadie del Barcelona y no está pasando absolutamente nada entre el Barça y Levi Colwill,” Romano said.
Leipzig invested 34 million euros to sign the defender in 2023, and his market valuation has climbed steadily since his arrival in the Bundesliga.
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