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Manchester United 'keeping close tabs on Castello Lukeba'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 15 February 2023

Man United 'keeping close tabs on Castello Lukeba'

Manchester United are reportedly keeping a close eye on Lyon centre-back Castello Lukeba, who is valued in excess of £30m by the French club.

Manchester United are reportedly keeping a close eye on the progress of Lyon centre-back Castello Lukeba.

The 20-year-old has already established himself as a first-team regular for the French giants, making 52 senior appearances and scoring three goals since coming through the club's academy.

Lukeba, who has been on the books at Lyon since 2011, has one goal to his name from 22 appearances in a Lyon jersey this term, starting 19 of his side's games in Ligue 1.

The defender committed himself to a new deal at the Groupama Stadium only last year, but those terms are due to run out at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

Furthermore, Lukeba's efforts have not counted for much in the race for European football, as Lyon are languishing in ninth in the Ligue 1 table - 12 points off the Champions League places.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pictured before the match on January 18, 2023 © Reuters

Failure to return to continental competition could tempt Lukeba into an exit amid growing interest in his services, and Football Insider claims that Man United have been alerted to his situation.

The report states that Red Devils scouts are closely monitoring his performances ahead of a potential summer bid, and one member of the recruitment team has given a glowing reference to Erik ten Hag.

However, Lyon are said to value Lukeba in excess of £30m, and Man United will likely have to fend off the attention of several European clubs to sign the Frenchman.

Lukeba - who can also fill in at left-back - has earned five caps for the France Under-21 team, although he is still waiting for his maiden senior call-up.

Should the 20-year-old depart Lyon for the Premier League, he would follow a similar path to that of teammate Malo Gusto, who was signed by Chelsea in the January window.

Lyon's Malo Gusto pictured on September 7, 2022 © Reuters

The 19-year-old right-back joined the Blues on a seven-and-a-half-year contract until the summer of 2030, although he will spend the rest of the season on loan at Lyon.

Ten Hag has settled on Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as his first-choice centre-back pairing this term, while Luke Shaw has also earned plaudits when operating as a makeshift central defender.

As a result, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have been left to battle for minutes from the bench, and both players' futures beyond the summer are uncertain.

Meanwhile, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe - the latter of whom is on loan at Stoke City - are both out of contract at the end of the season, and the duo are expected to depart this summer.

Man United are next in action away to Barcelona for the first leg of their Europa League knockout round playoff tie on Thursday, where Martinez will miss out due to suspension alongside Marcel Sabitzer.