Castello Lukeba, a French defender who joined RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 after leaving Lyon, has become an important member of the defense, and Chelsea and Real Madrid have been closely following his progress. Due to his steady play, Lukeba has earned a spot in the starting lineup and the interest of top European clubs.
Leipzig is said to have a high valuation on the young center back and would want a transfer fee of about £60 million ($80 million) if they were to sell him. Due to Lukeba’s 2028 contract expiration, Leipzig will have a lot of negotiating power should a trade happen. Despite increased interest from Chelsea and Real Madrid, this long-term contract makes it unlikely that the player would leave Germany before next summer January transfer window approaches.
A Premier League powerhouse has shown interest in Lukeba previously. Liverpool had held discussions with Lyon in 2021 on a possible transfer to Anfield, where they could have obtained the player for about 50% of his current market value. But those talks fell through, and Liverpool lost out on the opportunity to sign him. For now, Lukeba is totally focused on his duties at Leipzig, and his next outing will be in their next Bundesliga battle against Augsburg.
In unrelated news, Rodrygo Goes, a 23-year-old Brazilian star for Real Madrid, is apparently being targeted by Liverpool for a possible big-money transfer in the summer of 2025. Spanish publication Fichajes claims that the Premier League team is ready to make an offer of €100 million to secure Rodrygo’s services next summer. Liverpool has long been interested in the talented winger and has followed his career closely since his move to Real Madrid from Santos FC in July 2019.
Following a move pushed by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, who aimed to assemble a team of elite young talent, Rodrygo came in Madrid to great anticipation. The forward from Brazil has progressively improved to become one of Europe’s top young players. His flexibility across the frontline has helped him establish himself as a fixture in Real Madrid’s assault during the last five years. Rodrygo has been even more impressive in 2024–25, making nine appearances in all competitions and tallying three goals and two assists.
Liverpool views Rodrygo as a possible long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, whose future at Anfield is still up in the air, despite the player’s remarkable form. Salah, who is currently in the last year of his deal and has been essential to Liverpool’s assault for a number of years, and is also past thirty. Rodrygo is apparently being considered by Liverpool as a high priority to ensure their attacking strength going forward, even though the Egyptian hasn’t shown any noticeable indications of deterioration.
In the summer of 2024, Liverpool had considered a transfer for Rodrygo, but no agreement was reached. They are anticipated to step up their efforts in the upcoming months, though, and they still have a strong interest. A formal proposal may be made in the summer of 2025. According to the source, Florentino Pérez, the president of Real Madrid, would be willing to let the 23-year-old go—but only if the team receives an offer that comes close to €100 million.
Lukeba and Rodrygo’s fates will be determined in large part over the course of the next two months as Europe’s elite clubs get ready for possible bidding battles for these gifted young players.
