Real Madrid and Chelsea are reportedly not the only teams ready to compete for the signature of RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba.
The German outfit have made an impressive start to the new campaign, sitting level on points with leaders Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga table.
Although Leipzig have scored less than half of Bayern's 20 goals, Marco Rose's side possess one of the best defensive records in Europe with just two goals being conceded in six top-flight fixtures during 2024-25.
As a result, there is optimism that they can challenge for their first-ever Bundesliga title, but their strategy in signing younger players with potential always leaves them open to player sales.
That is the case with Lukeba with the 21-year-old having established himself as a key man at Leipzig since his arrival in 2023.
While Leipzig have the France international tied down to a contract until 2028, that has not stopped teams being linked with his signature.
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According to Football Insider correspondent Pete O'Rourke, Aston Villa are ready to rival some of their more illustrious rivals for his services.
Speaking to the outlet's Inside Track Podcast, O'Rourke says that Lukeba is viewed as 'a top player' by keys figures at the West Midlands outfit.
A previous report by TEAMtalk has indicated that Leipzig would be prepared to do business if a £60m proposal was submitted.
Whether that is in Villa's price range remains to be seen. Club officials had to work diligently to ensure that they did not breach the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations during the summer window.
Nevertheless, that was before they started their first-ever Champions League campaign with two successive wins, already recouping substantial prize money for the victories over Young Boys and Bayern Munich.
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Do Villa need a centre-back?
With Tyrone Mings still not close to a first-team return, Villa are essentially working with three central defenders in Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Diego Carlos.
If Lukeba were to sign, he would expect to command a starting role, realistically alongside Torres with Konsa being used as a right-back.
Of the other two aforementioned clubs, Real are more likely to push than Chelsea due to their need to lower the age of their options in the middle of their backline.
With Dani Carvajal also sidelined for the rest of the season, Brazil international Eder Militao may be required to help out at right-back as the campaign progresses.
Darren Plant
