Leipzig submit new bid for Lukeba, Romano claims
Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that RB Leipzig have stepped up their efforts to acquire central defender Castello Lukeba from Olympique Lyon.
After seeing an offer of €25 million (plus €6 million in bonuses) rejected, RB Leipzig have now apparently tendered a new bid for Olympique Lyon central defender Castello Lukeba. The German Red Bulls, according to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, are now willing to pay Lyon a base-transfer-fee of €32 million and give the Ligue 1 outfit a re-sale clause.
This being more in line with what the French side initially had in mind for their player, it's possible that the new proposal will prove sufficient to seal the deal. Max Eberl and the RB front office have been compelled to shell out record sums by clubs playing poker with them this summer, most notably in the case of Belgian striker Loïs Openda of RC Lens.
Leipzig ultimately spent €43-45 million on Openda, setting a new club record. Lukeba's purchase would see the Saxons shatter their record for money spent on a defender. German fullback David Raum cost RB a reported €26 million last summer. Leipzig will need to invest the money in Lukeba. A rumored sale of center back Josko Gvardiol to Manchester City is stalled, but can still go through.