Liverpool are on the hunt for a new centre-back this summer for the first time in four years.
Incredibly, the Reds have signed only two central defenders since 2016, with Ibrahima Konate the latest addition in 2021.
Given the other was Virgil van Dijk back in 2018, it is safe to say that Liverpool have a good eye for picking up top quality centre-backs.
It isn’t as though they have not tried in the intervening years, either. Liverpool pushed to sign Leny Yoro last summer, but were beaten to the Frenchman by Manchester United.
This year, Dean Huijsen was a top target, but the 20-year-old was bound for Real Madrid.
With Jarell Quansah on the way to Bayer Leverkusen, though, Liverpool know they must brush off the disappointment of losing Huijsen and get back in the saddle. And, just as they did when buying Konate in 2021, it seems the Reds could once again shop at RB Leipzig.
Liverpool eyeing Castello Lukeba move
In light of the uncertainty surrounding Konate’s future, there is a chance Liverpool are in need of two new centre-backs this summer.
Marc Guehi has been linked, but Rousing The Kop understands the Crystal Palace captain’s potential arrival is tied to what eventually happens with Konate.
In the meantime, Liverpool need a replacement for Quansah. And according to journalist Lewis Steele, Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba is one to keep an eye on in that respect.
“Lukeba at Leipzig could be one to watch, it’s clear Liverpool have kept an eye on him,” Steele told his YouTube channel on Friday.
READ MORE: Why Real Madrid knew they had no chance of beating Liverpool to Florian Wirtz
“I’ve been told Liverpool have had scouts at many RB Leipzig games this season. He could be one as well to watch in terms of Liverpool trying to get the best young defenders on the market.
“They missed out on Yoro, missed out on Huijsen, maybe [they sign] Hato, maybe Lukeba.”
Lukeba is available this summer
Lukeba has been linked to Liverpool before and given his reported playing style, it is easy to understand why.
According to Bundesliga.com, the 22-year-old is reminiscent of Josko Gvardiol in being a ‘very modern left-sided central defender.’
Lukeba signed a new contract at RB Leipzig earlier this season, one which reportedly contains a whopping £74m release clause.
As Liverpool know when dealing with Leipzig, they are liable to stick to those clauses, so Lukeba will not come cheap. But according to The Athletic, the German club have an ‘understanding’ with the Frenchman that he will be allowed to leave if a reasonable offer arrives this summer.
With Liverpool clearly sniffing around him, perhaps it will be once more to the Leipzig well.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
