Real Madrid, Chelsea closely following €40 million-rated Bundesliga defender – Romano | OneFootball

As has already been reported, Real Madrid will enter the market for a new, young centre-back in the summer transfer window of 2025, after missing out on Leny Yoro earlier this year.

Names like Vitor Reis and Jarek Gasiorowski have already been mentioned as possible transfer targets for the reigning champions of Spain and Europe.

Now, another name has been thrown into the mix by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who states that Real Madrid, along with several top clubs in Europe, have set their eyes on an up-and-coming young defender in the Bundesliga.

Real Madrid, Chelsea eyeing Castello Lukeba

Indeed, as per Romano, Real Madrid are very closely tracking RB Leipzig’s 21-year-old centre-back Castello Lukeba as they look to reinforce their defence in 2025.

However, Los Blancos are not alone as Premier League heavy-spenders Chelsea are also very much interested in the French Under-21 international’s services.

Man in demand. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

In fact, there has been some chatter that the Blues might be considering a move for Lukeba as early as the January transfer window.

But Romano states that it is unlikely that Leipzig would sell the youngster mid-season, especially after having parted ways with Mohamed Simakan in the summer.

Either way, Lukeba is a player who is generating quite a bit of interest and would be a player to watch out for in the summer of 2025 as Real Madrid, Chelsea, and several other clubs continue monitoring him.

Having joined Leipzig only last year, Lukeba is contracted with the Bundesliga club until 2028. And, considering how the German outfit works, the youngster will cost a significant sum if Real Madrid or any other club wish to sign him.

Considering that the Merengues are also eyeing a mammoth deal for Florian Wirtz as well, it will be interesting to see if they would have the capacity to splash the big bucks on Lukeba as well.