Liverpool are in the race to sign £52m defender – Report | OneFootball

Liverpool Monitoring Castello Lukeba as Centre-Back Plans Take Shape for 2026

Defensive Planning Beyond 2025

Liverpool’s long-term recruitment strategy is beginning to reveal its next area of focus. With Giovanni Leoni sidelined for several months due to an ACL injury and Ibrahima Konate entering the final year of his contract, centre-back depth could become a pressing concern heading into 2026. The club have already been linked with Marc Guehi, Ousmane Diomande and Maxence Lacroix, but a fresh report from the Daily Briefing has added another name to the list.

Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig is emerging as a serious candidate. The 22 year old France international has been on Liverpool’s radar previously, but interest appears to be resurfacing as the market shifts in their favour.

According to Mark Brus of the Daily Briefing, “Lukeba has a release clause worth €90m [£78.3m], which clubs see as too high, but it’s largely symbolic anyway – the real asking price is more like €60m [£52.2m].

“Liverpool like him, but you can add Chelsea, Man United, Newcastle and Real Madrid to that list.”

Perfect Profile for Arne Slot’s System

What makes Lukeba appealing is not only his age and pedigree, but his skill set. He is predominantly left footed, something currently absent within Liverpool’s centre-back pool. All established central defenders at Anfield favour their right side, creating an imbalance in build-up play.

Figures from FBref show why top-level clubs are circling. Over the past year, Lukeba ranks in the top 1 percent of Europe’s major league centre-backs for successful take-ons per game at 1.2, while placing in the top 20 percent for passes attempted at 68.23, progressive passes at 4.76 and progressive carries at 1.06. Those are metrics that align closely with Arne Slot’s possession-driven approach.

Photo: IMAGO

The Bundesliga’s official website describes him as intelligent in his “reading of the game, timing in the tackle, physicality and ability to distribute the ball from the back”. In other words, a defender who defends first, but plays like a midfielder when in control.

Competition from Rivals

Liverpool are not alone. Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle and Real Madrid are also tracking the Leipzig defender. Any move will rely not just on Liverpool’s intent but the timing of their bid. The release clause may be €90m, yet the report stating that “the real asking price is more like €60m” makes this a far more realistic pursuit.

FSG have historically preferred value over headline buys. If Leipzig are willing to negotiate at a reduced cost, this could be one of the most significant defensive deals of 2026.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool supporters will naturally prioritise Marc Guehi due to Premier League familiarity, but Lukeba represents something different. He is younger, left footed and far more progressive in possession. The club have lacked that profile since the early promise of Mamadou Sakho, and even then, not at this technical level.

There will be scepticism about spending over £50 million on a defender without Premier League experience, especially when Konate and Joe Gomez are already in place. However, Liverpool are clearly preparing for change. Konate has become unreliable due to his injury record, Gomez is often used as a utility option and Leoni’s setback is a reminder of how quickly depth can disappear.

If Liverpool want to avoid another January scramble like past years, this deal must be lined up early. Lukeba is not just a depth piece, he would be an instant rotation challenger. Slot has built his Liverpool around technical defenders. Adding someone who carries the ball with midfield composure would elevate the entire back line.

Liverpool fans should hope that interest turns into formal talks soon. Waiting until 2026 could be too late if Real Madrid decide to move first.