Flick identifies Bundesliga star as his preferred choice to strengthen Barcelona defence | OneFootball

With Rodri and Joao Cancelo already in the bag, all that’s left for Barcelona to do this summer is to secure the signing of a new striker.

However, given the events in the market so far, including the loan of Ronald Araujo, the club have not completely ruled out signing a new centre-back as well.

A lot of it depends on the pursuit of a new striker, but Barcelona, in fact, remain open to signing a new centre-back.

Castello Lukeba emerges as an option

According to Gerard Romero, Castello Lukeba is someone Hansi Flick is really interested in if Barcelona end up looking for a top class centre-back.

Lukeba is a talented ball-playing centre-back. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

A native of Lyon, Lukeba currently plies his trade with RB Leipzig. He has become a regular for the team after joining the club in 2023, having already racked up over 100 competitive appearances.

Lukeba is an athletic individual, who is good at playing the ball out from the back. His nature as a left-footed centre-back means he could be a natural replacement for Inigo Martinez.

Aged just 23, Lukeba could be a smart long-term investment as well, especially if he can manage to replicate his performances in the Bundesliga.

Potential roadblocks for Barcelona

However, signing Lukeba from Leipzig is easier said than done.

The Bundesliga giants have already had to part ways with too many stars this summer, including Yan Diomande and Lois Openda.

Lukeba may cost a fortune. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)

The club did bring in Maxime Esteve to shore up the defence. But it is unlikely they would want to part ways with the team’s star defender, Lukeba.

Even if they are forced to a sale, the player has a contract until 2029, thus giving Leipzig the leverage to ask for a hefty premium for the Frenchman’s services.

Keeping that in mind, Barcelona may have to comfortably cough up more than €50 million in order to secure the services of Lukeba.

For now, though, the club’s priority is to sign a new striker, with Julian Alvarez still remaining a top target.