Liverpool are actually merely a matter of months away from being pressured right into a summer time window of heavy spending.
The trigger? Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s expiring contracts; to not point out, additionally, Andy Robertson’s sudden decline in 2024/25.
The aforementioned duo stay set to depart Merseyside on the finish of the marketing campaign, with talks nonetheless ongoing between their respective entourages and sporting director Richard Hughes.
Fail to vary the scenario considerably, nonetheless, and the Reds will certainly haven’t any different possibility than to spend, possible, upwards of £100m, to account for the standard misplaced.
Maybe considerably upwards of that determine ought to Liverpool want to make signing Castello Lukeba a precedence.
Liverpool are nonetheless concerned about Castello Lukeba
Castello Lukeba has already confronted Liverpool this season – (Photograph by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Photos)
Christian Falk confirmed that the Merseysiders are retaining tabs on the 22-year-old’s progress at RB Leipzig.
Nevertheless, they’ll have two notable hurdles to clear to have any hope of touchdown his signature this summer time – curiosity from European rivals Actual Madrid and a £74.5m launch clause.
“True: Actual Madrid, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United have Castello Lukeba on their radar,” the BILD reporter knowledgeable CaughtOffside in his unique Truth Recordsdata column.
“The Leipzig defender prolonged his contract till 2029 in October – however plans are apparently already underway for a possible switch in the summertime. Lukeba and his brokers have their sights set on a transfer to Actual Madrid.
“Following the contract extension, the 22-year-old’s launch clause can be €90m [£74.5m] for the upcoming switch window.”
With 128 senior appearances underneath his belt (between spells at Lyon and the Crimson Bull-owned outfit), nonetheless, Lukeba is rapidly changing into a main candidate for a possible Anfield change.
Solely 22 senior video games stand in the best way of the Frenchman falling inside the Liverpool recruitment crew’s ultimate search parameters.
Would Lukeba be an appropriate alternative for Virgil van Dijk?
Statistically talking, the brief reply is: No.
Castello Lukeba falls brief in plenty of key areas one would possibly moderately think about the Merseysiders’ recruitment crew can be taking a look at.
Signing the centre-back would, for one, significantly hurt Liverpool’s aerial dominance within the backline. The French defender’s aerial duel win fee at present averages at 54.5% – a pointy drop-off from Virgil van Dijk’s 75.6%, in line with FBref.
The footballer likewise isn’t as dependable on the ball as his L4-dwelling counterpart, registering fewer passes per recreation at a diminished completion fee (89.8% to the Dutch worldwide’s 92.2% per 90).
He’s comparatively extra assured in progressing play by way of ball carrying, nonetheless, showcasing considerably higher progressive carries and profitable take-on charges.
Although, that in all probability then marks Lukeba out as a extra appropriate Joel Matip alternative!
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