TBR Football can confirm that Liverpool are among the clubs showing an interest in signing a highly-rated centre-back.
Liverpool have been very active this summer, having already confirmed several signings. The Reds announced Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and also announced the signing of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth.
Liverpool are expected to make a few more signings, with a new striker and a new centre-back among their targets.
Marc Guehi remains strongly linked with Liverpool. Another name now being linked with RB Leipzig star Castello Lukeba.
Liverpool really like RB Leipzig star Castello Lukeba
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Liverpool are among the clubs who really like the young Frenchman.
However, there is a real issue with his fee. He has a release clause over £70m and while Leipzig would be willing to take less, they want a major fee for the French star.
And TBR Football understands that Liverpool won’t be outlaying the sort of fee this summer unless someone like Ibrahima Konate departed, which is unlikely at this point.
Liverpool are not alone in their interest, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham said to be big admirers of the player as well.
Bayern Munich are also keen but that depends on the future of Kim min-Jae, but like with the Premier League clubs they won’t pay huge fee.
The 22-year-old is open to a move this summer but Leipzig are in no hurry to sell as he only signed his extension last year.
Liverpool could be eyeing Castello Lukeba to replace Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate’s future at the club remains uncertain, with his current contract set to expire next summer.
Konate has so far rejected Liverpool’s contract offers, as he reportedly seeks a significant pay rise.
| Stat | Ibrahima Konate | Castello Lukeba |
| Games | 31 | 23 |
| Tackles + Interceptions per 90 minutes | 1.8 | 2.0 |
| Dribbled Past per 90 minutes | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Successful Ground Duels | 61% | 65% |
| Successful Aerial Duels | 71% | 65% |
| Errors Leading to Goal | 1 | 0 |
Real Madrid are said to keen on signing him, with suggestions that Konate is stalling his contract in order to secure a free transfer to Madrid next summer.
Lukeba could prove to be a great long-term replacement for Konate given his impressive performances in the Bundesliga last season.
