RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba is a name to keep an eye on in the coming months, particularly as Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United were keen last year.

The defender has been on the radar of the Premier League for a while. But now it seems that he is really ready to move on from Leipzig.

Journalist Philipp Hinze reports that the Frenchman has recently left BS Group International to join Excellence Sport Nation. A change of agent is, in our experience, usually a prelude to big transfer window plans.

Hinze confirms as much, stating that Lukeba wants to take the next step in his career. His plan is to join a top club and earn a call-up to the French national team.

He was already prepared to move on last summer, but a deal failed to materialise. Now his release clause could tempt in suitors. It’s set to drop from €80m to €65m in the 2027 summer transfer window.

Leipzig also need the cash. They need to generate more than €100m in gross transfer revenue again next year. Failure to reach the Champions League would only increase that amount. Lukeba, therefore, is a strong candidate to leave.

Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester United?

And that should have ears at Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United pricking up with interest. Why? Because all three were keen last summer.

Sport Witness reported in an exclusive that all three sides were eyeing up a move for the Leipzig defender.

Arsenal were the first to show an interest, sending scouts to watch Lukeba in action earlier that same month. Sources then confirmed to Sport Witness that Manchester United and Liverpool were also in the race.

Crucially, those same sources explained that the Leipzig player would be interested in a Premier League switch. The move, though, was dependent on the sort of projects that the clubs could offer him.

Lukeba is very much focused on which club offers him the best possibility of development. That’s even more the case now as Hinze reports he’d love to join Barcelona at some point.

Now he’s very much looking to move on and Leipzig need the money. The question is whether Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester United are ready to move at a like €60m asking price.

Who would be best?

Given the current varied statuses of those clubs, it’s easy to assume Arsenal would be top of the Frenchman’s list. They can offer a title challenge, Champions League football and real progression.

But he would face big competition to get the minutes he wants given the options Mikel Arteta has in his defence.

Liverpool is a different matter. They’re very much a work in progress and their defence is a part of that process. Virgil van Dijk is very much in the latter days of his career and a departure could open the doors for someone like Lukeba.

Manchester United, meanwhile, desperately need new centre-backs. Lukeba would walk into that team comfortably. But the question is whether he would want to given the situation they are in and his clear ambitions.