Chelsea ready to do battle with Real Madrid in transfer tussle for £60m-rated rising Bundesliga defender

Per TEAMtalk, both Chelsea and Real Madrid have been monitoring the progress of 21-year-old French defender Lukeba, who has been a mainstay in Leipzig's starting line-up since joining them from Lyon last summer.

The report further claims that the Bundesliga side rate the young centre-back and will demand a transfer fee in the region of £60 million ($80m) if they have to part ways with him. The player's current contract runs until 2028, which means Leipzig will be in a strong position while negotiating his transfer with any interested party. While the Blues and Los Blancos would try and sign the player in the upcoming January transfer window, it is unlikely that the France international will leave Germany before next summer.

In 2021, Liverpool were in talks with Lyon over a possible transfer of the youngster to Anfield and could have signed him for half of his current valuation. However, a deal with the Reds did not materialise.

For now, the Frenchman remains focused on Leipzig and will be next seen in action for the club on Saturday as they take on Augsburg in a Bundesliga clash.