The 23-year-old French centre-back has been linked with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United in recent weeks, but reports out of Spain and Germany claim Barcelona is the destination Lukeba would pick if he leaves Leipzig this season.
Spanish daily Sport, cited by Goal, reported that Lukeba would prioritise Barcelona over the Premier League clubs that inquired about him last summer, and that he is largely determined to end his spell in Germany. Personal terms are not expected to be a sticking point, according to The Hard Tackle.
A £55m negotiation window
The £55m figure that has bounced around English coverage first appeared in reporting from TEAMtalk earlier this year. The outlet said Leipzig had signalled through intermediaries that they would sanction a sale at that level despite a release clause worth roughly £70m.
That clause has since expired, meaning any fee now has to be agreed between the clubs. More recent German reporting, referenced by The Hard Tackle and Caught Offside, puts Leipzig’s guaranteed asking price closer to €60m, with add-ons potentially taking the package to €65m.
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Where the Premier League clubs stand
Neither Chelsea nor Arsenal has publicly confirmed any interest, and the story remains a rumour rather than an active negotiation.
The Hard Tackle notes that Chelsea are looking for defensive reinforcements after conceding 12 goals in their opening five league games, while Arsenal would reportedly view Lukeba as a longer-term investment behind the William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães partnership.
That established pairing is one reason some reports frame Chelsea as the more attractive Premier League option for the player: a route into a rebuilding defence rather than an understudy role.
Why Barcelona is the pull
Hansi Flick, who signed a new deal keeping him at Barcelona through 2028, is described in both Spanish and English coverage as a keen admirer. According to the same reporting, Barcelona have been looking for a left-footed central defender, and Lukeba’s profile is said to fit the high defensive line Flick prefers.
Analyst Ben Mattinson, in a 2024 post on X, called Lukeba “the perfect LB/LCB hybrid for the modern game” and highlighted his ability to carry the ball forward from defence.
Timing
Lukeba joined Leipzig from Lyon in 2023 for around €30m and is under contract until 2029. Leipzig, now coached by Martín Demichelis, are not actively pushing him out and hold the stronger negotiating hand.
Coverage points to the January window or summer 2027 as the more likely timing for any move, with Barcelona reportedly ready to act if the price drops.
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