Chelsea have launched an enquiry with RB Leipzig over a potential summer move for one of the club’s star defenders following their dismal derby defeat against Arsenal, according to reports.
The Blues have endured a wretched season defensively with their record of 57 goals conceded the most in the club’s Premier League history as Mauricio Pochettino has battled with underperforming stars and injuries to key players.
Pochettino will need to recruit with defensive reinforcements in the summer as Thiago Silva is expected to leave the club while others could be sold to fall in line with Financial Fair Play regulations.
Castello Lukeba has been a key figure in Leipzig’s defence during his first season at the club having only moved from Lyon in a £30million transfer last year.
The 21-year-old impressed in the Champions League with Leipzig earlier in the season and has gone on to make 37 appearances in all competitions for the German outfit with Leipzig viewing him as a future star player.
Chelsea have launched an enquiry with RB Leipzig over a potential summer move for one of the club’s star defenders
Castello Lukeba only moved to Leipzig last year after joining in a £30million transfer from Lyon
Chelsea have already spent nearly £1billion on young players during Todd Boehly’s relatively short ownership reign and want to secure an early summer exit for Lukeba, as reported by The Sun.
However, the French defender won’t come cheap given Leipzig’s initial release clause of £77m that activates next year before dropping to £60m in 2026.
The reported interest of Manchester United is also likely to make securing Lukeba’s signature an even more complicated recruitment task.
Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is expected to target defensive signings in the summer
Leipzig are keen to keep hold of the star defender (right) with his release clause set to rise next year
Chelsea are expected to sanction a host of player sales to raise cash in the summer that can then be spent on bringing in better players capable of helping the cub get back into European competition.
Whether Pochettino remains in charge to oversee transfer is yet to be seen with Chelsea as yet undecided on whether to keep the Argentine on for next season.
His debut campaign at Stamford Bridge has been frustratingly inconsistent as Chelsea come to terms for ending another consecutive season without any silverware or Champions League football.
Defeat against arch rivals Arsenal on Tuesday heaped more misery on the Blues boss and his squad as the Gunners moved top of the Premier League table.
