As we all know, Chelsea are linked to all manner of players, all the time. It’s our job to sift through the endless chatter and work out what actually has some substance to it. In this case, we’re convinced there’s something to the links between us and Castello Lukeba.
We’re going on two things – firstly the regularity with which the rumour comes up, and secondly how neatly his signing would fit in with the general pattern of players we bring in, and the needs we have.
He’s young – still just 21, he’s got bags of top flight experience considering his age, his salary isn’t crazy high, and his transfer fee should stay reasonable too, given he’s at RB Leipzig and not already at a top side.
All in all, it sounds like the kind of player our sporting structure generally target. The fact he’s a centre back, an area where we still don’t quite have the guaranteed world class option we’d like, makes it even more sensible.
Lukeba’s price set to fall further,
He’s already an affordable option – but according to Phillipp Hinze of Sky Germany, things are even more straightforward.
The defender – who signed for Leipzig last summer – has a €90m release clause for this summer. But in the summer of 2026, it tumbles to €65m.
🚨⚪️🔴 EXCL | The release clause for RB Leipzig’s Castello #Lukeba will decrease to €65m in the summer of 2026 ✔️ @philipphinze24 🤝
As reported, a release clause of €90m will come into effect after the current season.
The 21y/o centre-back is on the radar of several top… pic.twitter.com/nnL3Z3f80t
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) October 18, 2024
We can really see Chelsea playing out this season with their current options, and then in 18 months time being part of the race to try and snatch Lukeba – at that point about to start reaching his peak. €65m might seem a bargain by then. It feels a long way off, but it gives players like Wesley Fofana time to prove their fitness, and younger players like Benoit Badiashile a chance to prove they still deserve a place in the squad long term.
Keep an eye on this one, this is a player we’re going to continue to hear a lot about.
