The door is open for Arsenal to complete an important summer signing, but the Gunners will have to win a “massive scramble” with several of their Premier League rivals to get the deal done.
Mikel Arteta has been told that RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba will leave the club in the summer.
While on the face of things, Arsenal seem well covered in this role, the manager sees Ricardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie, who they are expected to sign on a permanent basis, primarily as left-backs. He wants a specialist left-sided central defender to help cover for William Saliba and Gabriel, with Lukeba earmarked as a candidate for this spot in the squad.
Lukeba put up for sale for €57.5m, Arsenal told
Arsenal have been “formally notified” of the availability of Lukeba along with his other suitors, according to a report from TeamTalk.
It is claimed that Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are all interested in signing the 23-year-old. Tottenham also see the defender as a potential replacement for Mickey van de Ven, should he leave in the summer.
With Lukeba regarded as “one of the most in-demand defenders” in Europe, a huge battle is set to erupt for the player.
Although he has a release clause worth €80 million (£70m), it is reported that business could be conducted around the €57.5m (£50m) mark.
Lukeba has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €44.2m, but has reached as high as €63.5m in his career, suggesting that there could be value to be found for a buying club at Leipzig’s revised rate.
The Bundesliga club approach this deal from a position of some strength. Lukeba is under contract until 2029, while the Red Bull-owned side are under no pressure to sell.
They are aiming to allow one star player to depart this summer, and if their demands are not met, they could reassess the situation and allow Yan Diomande to depart, although it’s clear they would prefer the in-demand winger to remain at the club.
Arteta needs to turn on the charm
Lukeba appears set to be forced into a trade-off this summer. If he wants to go to a big club, it is unlikely that he will get much playing time – and Arsenal are included in this.
The Gunners are seen as a solid match for him by data analytics firm SciSports, which gives the North London side a Club Fit of 73 for the former Lyon youngster. This is calculated by AI around several factors, including potential development, game time, style and formation.
A move to the Emirates is certainly seen as beneficial to Lukeba reaching his full potential, but there are understandably major concerns over game time but more surprisingly with Arteta’s formation.
This is, therefore, a deal that may suit Arsenal more than the player and given the volume of offers the centre-back is expected to field this summer, it’s going to take a strong pitch from the Premier League leaders to secure his future.
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