Talks ON: Chelsea and Boehly wants to sign 77m defender with real “pace” report
There are rumours that Chelsea is moving to recruit a new defender who has a £77 million release clause in his contract for the following season.
Transfer rumors involving Chelsea
Even though Todd Boehly splashed the cash back in the summer, Mauricio Pochettino’s debut season at Stamford Bridge hasn’t gone as planned on the field.
The Blues’ most recent setback came on Tuesday when they lost 5-0 to rivals Arsenal. They may need to generate £100 million through player sales before the end of the fiscal year to avoid PSR consequences.
However, despite this, there have still been plenty of rumours about new arrivals ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, regardless of who is in charge. For example, AC Milan star Rafael Leao has been linked with a move to Chelsea, as has Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
In fact, reports in recent months have claimed that Chelsea were readying a player plus cash deal to sign the Nigeria international, with a huge seven-year deal being prepared, which could see Osimhen receive more than £90m in London between 2024 to 2031.
There may well be the need for additions at the back as well, especially with Thiago Silva out of contract in the summer and turning 40 years of age in September.
Chelsea make contact to sign RB Leipzig defender
According to reports in France, relayed by The Sun, Chelsea have made contact to sign RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba. The Blues have reached out over a transfer for the 21-year-old, however, RB Leipzig do not want to sell Lukeba at any cost this summer.
The Bundesliga side are in a strong position until 2025, when a £77m release clause kicks in, with that figure dropping to £60m in 2026. Premier League rivals Manchester United are also thought to be interested in Lukeba, who joined Leipzig from Lyon last year.
The Frenchman has made 37 appearances in all competitions this season and appears to be a star in the making, with his Transfermarkt valuation now standing at a career-high €40m.
Lukeba, once described a “generational talent” in the media, has also been praised by Max Eberl, Leipzig’s managing director for sport, who said: “He is left-footed and can play as a left-sided centre-back in both a back-three and a back-four. Castello’s main strengths are his tough-tackling nature, his pace, his positioning and how good he is on the ball.”
A move could still materialise this summer, however, a transfer may well be more likely in 2025 for £77m, but Lukeba’s development will be one to keep an eye on.