Flick Names Castello Lukeba as Barcelona's Preferred Centre-Back Target
The choice is conditional on Barcelona finishing their striker business and raising funds to match RB Leipzig's expected valuation.
Overview
- Reports over the weekend, citing journalist Gerard Romero, say coach Hansi Flick has singled out 23-year-old Castello Lukeba of RB Leipzig as his preferred option to reinforce Barcelona's defence.
- Lukeba is a left-footed, ball-playing centre-back who moved from Lyon to Leipzig in 2023 and has passed 100 official appearances for the club.
- Sources warn the transfer would be costly because Lukeba is under contract until 2029, Leipzig have bargaining leverage, and Barcelona could face a fee north of €50 million.
- RB Leipzig have already lost several players this summer and have signed Maxime Estève to strengthen their back line, making a quick sale of a key defender unlikely.
- Barcelona's board currently ranks signing a striker as the top priority, so any Lukeba pursuit will depend on completing that attacking signing first and on the club's available funds.