The Bundesliga giants are slashing their asking price for the French defender to unlock summer funds, a strategic gamble aimed at protecting other stars from rival interest.
RB Leipzig are reportedly prepared to lower their asking price for Castello Lukeba, with the Bundesliga club now willing to consider offers in the region of €60 million for the French centre-back, according to Kicker.
Lukeba is understood to have a release clause of around €80 million, but no club is currently prepared to meet that figure. As a result, Die Roten Bullen are now said to be open to negotiations at a reduced valuation in order to increase financial flexibility during the summer transfer window.
The move reflects a broader strategic reality at the club, where squad planning is being shaped not only by sporting considerations but also by the need to generate significant transfer income if required.
Lukeba has developed into a key defensive figure since arriving in Leipzig, establishing himself as one of the most reliable ball-playing centre-backs in the Bundesliga. His profile, left-sided, composed in possession, and comfortable defending high, has made him a valuable asset within Leipzig’s system and an attractive option for top European clubs.
However, despite his importance, the lack of concrete bids at his previous valuation has forced the club to reassess their position. The revised €60 million figure is seen internally as a more realistic threshold in the current market, particularly given that interest has yet to translate into formal offers.
The situation around Lukeba is also closely linked to Leipzig’s wider transfer strategy. If the club are unable to secure a sale for the French defender, internal pressure is expected to increase regarding other potential high-value departures — most notably Yan Diomande.
Diomande, who has been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and is reported to have agreed personal terms with the French champions, is still officially considered not for sale. Sporting director Marcel Schäfer has recently reiterated Leipzig’s intention to keep the Ivorian winger for at least another season.
However, the financial structure of the squad means that at least one major sale may ultimately be required to balance the books and maintain flexibility for incoming transfers.
This creates a delicate balancing act: Lukeba remains the most straightforward candidate to generate a significant fee, but if no deal materialises, attention could gradually shift toward other high-value assets within the squad.
For now, Leipzig’s position is clear, they are open to selling Lukeba, but only in the right conditions. Until then, the market remains the deciding factor.
From here, the stage only gets bigger.
