RB Leipzig will reopen negotiations with Lyon for promising French Under-21 international Castello Lukeba, per Foot Mercato.
The Bundesliga club plans to submit a new bid after Lyon swiftly rejected their initial €26 million offer.
Lyon want to keep him for at least one more season, but Leipzig will return with another offer after Josko Gvardiol agreed a deal to join Manchester City.
Leipzig are awaiting the completion of this move before proceeding with a new offer for Lukeba.
Lyon have set a price tag of €35 million for the highly-rated defender. Lyon manager Laurent Blanc said they would be open to selling if a suitable offer is made.
Lukeba is not participating in Lyon’s pre-season preparations due to his involvement in the Under-21 European Championship.
He is training independently in the South of France and will join Blanc’s squad on July 24.
However, with Leipzig’s potential bid looming, uncertainty surrounds his long-term future.
Lukeba’s rise through the ranks has been noteworthy. He has earned a reputation as one of the brightest prospects in Ligue 1.
Despite his young age, he has established himself as one of the top defenders in France.
Praised for his defensive skills and ball-playing ability, Lukeba has drawn comparisons to former Barcelona star Samuel Umtiti.
Lukeba’s journey with the club began aged in 2011. His maturity has garnered admiration from coaches and teammates alike.
It will be intriguing to see whether Lukeba’s next chapter will involve a move to the Bundesliga or if he will remain with his boyhood club for another season.
