{"id":233381,"date":"2025-07-03T00:52:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T00:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/233381\/"},"modified":"2025-07-03T00:52:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T00:52:13","slug":"liverpool-want-to-sign-bundesliga-defender-with-78m-release-clause-but-face-competition-from-two-giants-including-premier-league-rivals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/233381\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool ‘want to sign Bundesliga defender with \u00a378m release clause’ – but ‘face competition from two giants’ including Premier League rivals"},"content":{"rendered":"

By LUKE POWER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 19:11 EDT, 2 July 2025 | Updated: 19:12 EDT, 2 July 2025 <\/p>\n

Liverpool<\/a> are reportedly interested in signing wantaway RB Leipzig defender\u00a0Castello Lukeba – but will likely have to tussle for him.<\/p>\n

The Reds are ramping up their search for a centre-back after selling Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for \u00a335million<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lukeba, 22, has established a strong reputation over the past few seasons at Lyon and Leipzig and earned himself a senior France cap.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But the 6ft0in star is also the subject of interest from Bayern Munich<\/a> and Tottenham<\/a>, according to French outlet Foot Mercato<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

They write that while his release clause is set at almost \u00a378million, Leipzig have an informal agreement to let him leave for less.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But his deal runs until 2029, so he will likely not come cheap, and he has previously been linked with\u00a0Manchester United<\/a>, Chelsea<\/a>, and Real Madrid<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Liverpool <\/p>\n

Liverpool are reportedly interested in RB Leipzig’s 22-year-old centre-back Castello Lukeba<\/p>\n

\"Bayern <\/p>\n

Bayern Munich and Tottenham are also said to be keen on the one-time France international<\/p>\n

\"Arne <\/p>\n

Arne Slot must shore up his defence after selling Jarell Quansah, with Ibrahima Konate’s future also up in the air\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lukeba, who starred for the France under-21s at this summer’s Euros, has been compared to Josko Gvardiol, another physical defender who left Leipzig for Manchester City in 2023.<\/p>\n

He is left footed and typically plays on that side of the defence, able to slot into a back three or four.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Liverpool have had their way in the transfer market this summer after signing Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez for a combined sum of at least \u00a3169.5m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But they must plan ahead given the contract situation concerning Ibrahima Konate.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Frenchman’s deal is up in a year and so far negotiations have failed to result make significant progress.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Real Madrid\u2019s interest is real and Paris Saint-Germain have also been mooted as a potential destination for Konate, 26.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lukeba is not the only target Liverpool have been setting their sights on.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Arne Slot’s side are also keen on Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who reciprocates their interest.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Their chances of snapping up the Crystal Palace captain will depend on the price demanded by the FA Cup winners.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There is talk Liverpool will try to lowball Palace at \u00a330million, whereas Palace would demand around \u00a350m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Last year the Eagles rejected a \u00a365m bid from Newcastle but now he only has a year left on his deal at Selhurst Park.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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