Chelsea & Real Madrid dealt transfer blow as outstanding young RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba makes decision on his future

Lukeba has reportedly attracted interest from some of Europe's top clubs including Chelsea and Real Madrid after impressing for RB Leipzig. The two sides have been monitoring his progress this season but have now seen their hopes of landing the defender hit after he signed a contract extension with the Bundesliga side.

RB Leipzig have confirmed that they have "prematurely extended the contract" of Lukeba by one year. His deal at the club now runs until 2029 and Leipzig will be hoping the move wards off any potential admirers. Lukeba is still only 21 but has already made 50 appearances for the Bundesliga side since joining from Lyon in 2023. The news will be a boost to the German club, who have made a bright start and currently sit level on points with Bundesliga leaders Bayern after seven games played.

He told the club's official website: "The move to Leipzig was exactly the right one for my development. I got playing time very quickly and with it responsibility and always felt the trust of everyone in the club, our fans and my teammates - RB Leipzig now feels like my second family. This environment makes it so easy for young players like me to quickly gain a foothold here and improve every day. The conditions for training at the highest level and regularly playing against the best teams in the world are simply great! I'm looking forward to many more games for RB Leipzig and will do everything I can to ensure that we get the most out of it. A special thank you also goes to our amazing fans who support us so much at every game. That always gives me a special boost and means a lot to me. I just love celebrating and dancing with them after victories and I really appreciate this special connection."

Sports Director Rouven Schroder added: "Castello has matured into one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga in just one year and has played a major role in our defensive stability this season. He can defend toughly and also play a key role in building up play. His strength in tackles, his good passing, his confidence and composure on the ball, his speed and his flexibility in being able to play both as a centre-back and as a full-back make him an exceptional player. We are delighted that Castello has committed himself to RB for the long term and sees his future in Leipzig."

RB Leipzig are currently preparing for a Champions League clash with Liverpool, before returning to Germany to take on Freiburg in the Bundesliga.