Bundesliga upstarts RB Leipzig are seemingly on the hunt to replace star defender Joško Gvardiol after Die Roten Bullen has submitted a second bid for highly-touted French youth international center-back Catello Lukeba.
According to information relayed by football insider Fabrizio Romano, RBL’s second bid is understood to be €32m while also including a sell-on clause for the German outfit, with Lukeba reportedly having already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract.
RB Leipzig have submitted new bid to Lyon for Castello Lukeba — understand it’s €32m plus sell on clause 🚨⚪️🔴
Lukeba already agreed personal terms on five year deal with Leipzig.
After 2 years, Lukeba wants to leave with an important compensation for Lyon. pic.twitter.com/x8boZxzFTN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 1, 2023
The 20-year-old Lyon-born Olympique Lyonnais academy graduate has fast become one of the brightest young central defenders on the continent after impressive performances in both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 Ligue 1 campaigns at Groupama Stadium.
After 68 appearances for Les Gones across all competitions in the past two seasons, Lukeba proved himself to be an incredibly reliable fixture in the heart of the defense in the Rhône Valley, after logging more minutes than any U21 player anywhere in Europe’s top five leagues according to Opta Analyst.
Should a deal be struck between RBL and OL, it undoubtedly will open the door for the aforementioned Gvardiol to complete his move to Manchester City after the Premier League hegemon is reportedly closing in on finally completing negotiations for the Croatian starlet, with Bild reporting that a final agreement between both clubs could be reached tomorrow.
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