Real Madrid could be set to disrupt the Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United summer transfer plans by muscling in Castello Lukeba from RB Leipzig.
Los Blancos has identified William Saliba as their dream defensive signing, but acknowledges that it will be difficult, if not impossible to praise the Frenchman away from Arsenal at the end of the season.
But Madrid also has Lukeba, who was scouted heavily this season by the Premier League trio, high on their shortlist and is expected to switch attention to the 22-year-old if their claims for Saliba do not bear fruit.
The French international signed fresh conditions at Leipzig in October and its new contract contains a release clause in the £ 74.5 million region that will be active on 1 July.
Champid negotiators Leipzig will probably not admit under that figure, given that there is a severe competition for the signature of Lukeba and, moreover, they are not under no immediate pressure to sell.
In 2026 the release clause will be reduced to £ 66 million and it will also fall to £ 54 million in 2027, provided that Lukeba is still at the German club.
With Liverpool, Chelsea and United all looking for their central defensive options this summer, Lukeba and Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen, release clause of £ 50 million, are both seen as two of the best opportunities on the market.
The Reds have looked at a left-sided center-back in the last few transfer windows, but have not been able to identify the correct goal.
Anfield Chiefs will continue to optimistic Virgil van Dijk will extend his stay in the club this summer, while contract negotiations will also be underway with Ibrahima Konate.
But even if both remain, Arne Slot wants to strengthen Liverpool's defense options. The Dutchman has been left in particular in that department after news about the recent hamstring injury of Joe Gomez.
The new role of Jurgen Klopp as head of Global Soccer at Red Bull, however, will probably strengthen the chances of his former employer to land Lukeba from Leipzig. In the meantime, Chelsea wants to add an impressive center-back to their team to compliment their current options and this summer it cannot be discussed further.
Manchester United remains impeded by financial issues and although Lukeba is a player of great admiration, he will probably prove out of reach, unless there is a considerable sale.
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