Real Madrid plan to enter the transfer market for a new centre-back in the summer transfer window of 2025, with RB Leipzig ace Castello Lukeba understood to be one of the names on their wishlist.
Lukeba, 21, has become a mainstay for the Bundesliga outfit and is counted among the best young defenders in Europe.
Real Madrid and a number of elite teams across the continent have had their eyes on the 21-year-old French prospect who moved to Germany after bursting through the ranks at Olympique Lyon.
Agreement reached over a new contract
The growing interest in Lukeba has prompted RB Leipzig to secure his future with a new and improved long-term contract.
Indeed, according to multiple reliable sources, including Fabrizio Romano, Lukeba and RB Leipzig have reached an agreement over a new long-term renewal until the summer of 2029.
With an agreement in place, the extension is expected to be finalised and announced soon.
Lukeba’s current contract ran until 2028 but Leipzig have added another year to the deal and possibly improved his salary as well amid rising interest in the youngster.
While it does not necessarily rule out his exit next year, the renewal does ensure that Leipzig are in a much stronger position to negotiate with any interested parties.
Lukeba continues to remain on Real Madrid’s radar, along with some other top clubs, but Romano confirms that he will not be leaving RB Leipzig in January.
Whether the 21-year-old is a subject of an approach from Los Blancos come summer will be interesting to see, given that Leipzig are likely to demand a premium fee for their asset.