Bundesliga club RB Leipzig are close to signing Lyon’s highly-rated defender Castello Lukeba, according to Kicker.
Leipzig’s initial bid of €26 million for Lukeba was rejected by Lyon, but Die Roten Bellen did not give up their pursuit.
Determined to bolster their defensive ranks, the club’s sporting director Max Eberl personally flew to Lyon on Wednesday to finalise the deal.
The negotiations seem to have taken a positive turn, with Leipzig poised to meet Lyon’s asking price of €34m.
Lukeba’s potential move to Leipzig signifies a significant step up in his career, and if all goes according to plan, he will pen a lucrative five-year contract with the German outfit.
The young French defender has impressed many people with his mature performances and positional awareness.
He looks like a perfect fit for Leipzig’s dynamic style of play, and the timing of the move is noteworthy.
Josko Gvardiol’s departure from Leipzig is becoming a reality, as he is reportedly on the cusp of joining English giants Manchester City.
City offered a base fee of €90m, which could surge beyond the €100m mark with add-ons. Leipzig are now ready to part ways with their prized asset.
Gvardiol’s massive transfer fee will make him the most expensive defender of all time, surpassing the previous record held by Manchester United’s Harry Maguire.
Despite their initial sluggishness in the transfer market, Leipzig’s summer transfer window has sprung into life.
They have secured the signing of Lois Openda to replace Christopher Nkunku, who moved to Chelsea this summer. They have also added Fabio Carvalho and the promising Xavi Simons on season-long loans.
Benjamin Sesko, Leopold Zingerle, Christoph Baumgartner, Nicolas Seiwald and El Chadaille Bitshiabu are other new acquisitions.
