Liverpool want £28m RB Leipzig player with ‘real potential’ and could push to sign him in 2025

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After staying largely quiet in 2024, Liverpool already have one eye on the transfer market in 2025.

The Reds added only Federico Chiesa to their squad during the whole of the current calendar year, leaving some supporters feeling that more should have been done.

Next year already looks like being a busier one, though. Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to arrive at Anfield following his capture from Valencia last summer, while other big players in the Liverpool squad could need replacing, too.

Depending on what happens with the ongoing contract situations, Arne Slot could be needing to find a new starting centre-back, right-back and right winger. That is a lot to do in one summer.

Thankfully, the Liverpool owners tend to have a plan where transfers are concerned. And according to French journalist Fabrice Hawkins, they are already pencilling in a target in the defence.

As per Hawkins, Liverpool fans would be wise to keep a very close eye on RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba during Wednesday evening’s game in the Champions League.

Liverpool keen on signing Castello Lukeba

Regardless of whether Virgil van Dijk stays or goes, Liverpool are likely to need a new centre-back next summer at the latest.

Having been on the verge of an exit ahead of this season, Joe Gomez could leave after barely being given any game time at all.

Van Dijk will also be 34 by the time next summer rolls around and a succession plan should be in place for whenever the Dutchman does exit or begin to decline.

Given his left-sided nature, Lukeba could be a good option in that respect. And reporting on X, Hawkins says that Liverpool are one of the sides ‘preparing to attack’ Leipzig in the market next year.

READ MORE: Liverpool’s predicted Champions League XI vs RB Leipzig as Arne Slot makes five changes

“Targeted by Real Madrid, Castello Lukeba will extend with Leipzig,” says the journalist.

“Agreement between Lukeba and the German club for a one-year extension, therefore until 2029.

“Real Madrid, Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in the French defender. Leipzig is preparing to be attacked on this file next summer.”

Liverpool set for Castello Lukeba scouting trip

Liverpool’s interest in Lukeba should come as no surprise. The 21-year-old has had the look of a special player ever since breaking through at Lyon in 2021. Former Lyon manager Peter Bosz called Lukeba ‘a real talent with real potential‘ after giving him his debut.

The youngster then joined RB Leipzig for around £28m in 2023 and given that the Reds could soon need a left-sided centre-back – and their history of doing deals with Leipzig – the France international is a signing that makes a lot of sense.

There are of course parallels to be drawn with Lukeba’s compatriot Ibrahima Konate, who also arrived at Anfield from Leipzig.

And like Konate in 2021, Lukeba will have the chance to impress Liverpool live when he faces them in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Obviously, with clubs like Real Madrid also circling, it’s unlikely that the Reds will need any more persuading about Lukeba’s talents. But a good showing at the Red Bull Arena may make a move to Merseyside a little more likely.