FC Barcelona: the issue delaying the Castello Lukeba deal

In this summer transfer window, FC Barcelona are on the hunt for a central defender to partner Pau Cubarsi, following Araujo's move to Liverpool.

For the Catalan board, Aymeric Laporte remains the top priority, while Natan has also been considered. So far, neither Athletic Bilbao nor Real Betis have received any formal offers from Barça. The club is working on several targets. However, another name has recently emerged: Castello Lukeba.

Read also: FIFA: Patrice Motsepe defends Gianni Infantino

Sporting director Deco is a big fan of the RB Leipzig defender, as is coach Hansi Flick. The problem, though, is that the former Lyon player has a hefty release clause: €80 million. It's hard to imagine the Blaugrana splashing such an amount while also trying to seal two blockbuster summer deals—Rodri from Manchester City and Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

Related teams and leagues

Barcelona