Arsenal in talks to sign RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba | OneFootball

Arsenal have initiated preliminary talks with RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba (23) over a summer move, according to a report from L’Equipe. The 23-year-old remains tied with the Red Bull-owned Bundesliga outfit with a contract set to expire in 2029, but the one-time France international will be a man in demand this summer. The outlet understands that Lukeba will seek a new challenge after spending the last three seasons in Eastern Germany.

Lukeba won’t be short of suitors with Premier League clubs and La Liga sides expected to make their move for the former Olympique Lyonnais Academy graduate. Lukeba was previously touted as a Bayern Munich target, should Dayot Upamecano were to leave. Although the latter eventually renewed his contract with Die Rekordmeister. L’Equipe adds that an Arsenal scout monitored Lukeba during Leipzig’s 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund.

So far, the Gunners are yet to submit an official bid to Leipzig nor a contractual offer to Lukeba, although talks have taken place in those last weeks. Leipzig would be keen to engage in a bidding war to raise their selling price above the €60m mark.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval