Chelsea, Manchester United Battle for Lukeba’s £60m Release Clause

It seems there is a fierce battle brewing between Chelsea and Manchester United for the services of RB Leipzig’s promising young defender, Castello Lukeba. Both clubs have expressed interest in the French international, who has impressed with his performances in the Bundesliga since his move from Lyon last summer.

Lukeba, just 21 years old, has a release clause in his contract that becomes active in the summer of 2025, valued at a hefty £60 million. This clause has piqued the interest of both Chelsea and Manchester United, with both clubs reportedly making inquiries about the defender’s availability.

Chelsea’s interest is particularly notable given their recent defensive struggles, and they have already made contact with RB Leipzig to ascertain the feasibility of a move. Manchester United, on the other hand, are looking to bolster their defensive options following a season that has seen them suffer numerous injuries in that area of the pitch.

However, RB Leipzig are determined to keep hold of Lukeba, at least for another season. They do not want to sell him this summer and are hoping to retain his services until his release clause becomes active. This could lead to a bidding war between Chelsea and Manchester United next year, as both clubs look to strengthen their respective defenses.

As for Lukeba, he has been a revelation in the Bundesliga, earning himself a place in the French national team and being named captain of the under-23 side ahead of the Paris Olympics. His performances have caught the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs, and it seems only a matter of time before he makes a big-money move to one of them.

For now, though, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea or Manchester United will be able to persuade RB Leipzig to part with their prized asset. The battle for Lukeba’s signature is sure to be one of the biggest transfer sagas of the summer, and it will be fascinating to see how it unfolds.