Castello Lukeba could bring big returns to Olympique Lyonnais. The former central defender trained at the Rhone club is of great interest to Real Madrid. According to the Iberian press, Florentino PĂ©rez and Xabi Alonso are closely following the RB Leipzig player. Madrid emissaries were even present this weekend in the stands of the Red Bull Arena to observe Lukeba during the victory against Stuttgart. Real Madrid plans to allocate a budget of 50 million euros to recruit a new central defender. And if this transfer materializes, OL will not be forgotten. Thanks to a clause negotiated when Lukeba left Leipzig in 2023, Lyon could receive an attractive sum.
Lukeba had confirmed this clause
Between 5 and 5.7 million euros. This is what OL could get back if Castello Lukeba joined Real Madrid for 50 million euros. This amount is based on two financial mechanisms: a 20% profit-sharing on capital gains and a training percentage of between 3 and 5%. Lukeba was sold to Leipzig for 34 million euros in 2023. If Real pays 50 million, the added value will be 16 million. The 20% profit-sharing would therefore represent approximately 3.2 million euros. Add the training percentage (2 to 2.5 million euros), and OL would pocket a total of between 5 and 5.7 million euros.
Castello Lukeba himself confirmed the existence of this clause during an interview. “Yes, in fact, they had negotiated that when I left with Leipzig, so there is a clause, there is a percentage on resale. » The player also expressed his wish to help his training club:
“If I can help my training club, it’s always with pleasure. Especially when we know the difficulties that the club is experiencing at the moment. » A statement that takes on its full meaning today, while OL is going through financial and sporting turbulence.
Xabi Alonso, great admirer of Lukeba
Real Madrid’s interest in Lukeba does not come out of nowhere. Xabi Alonso, the new Madrid coach, was impressed by the French defender during his adventure on the bench of Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. At 22, Lukeba has had an excellent start to the season with RB Leipzig, forming a solid hinge alongside the experienced Willi Orban. His defensive maturity, his ability to restart cleanly and his speed appeal to the biggest European clubs. For the Lyon native, joining Real Madrid would be an incredible opportunity. Playing alongside Kylian MbappĂ©, Eduardo Camavinga and AurĂ©lien TchouamĂ©ni is the kind of project that cannot be refused.
For OL, this transfer would be a welcome breath of fresh air. Five to six million euros are not negligible, especially in the club’s current financial context. Lyon has always known how to intelligently negotiate the departures of its gems, and this resale clause is proof of that. It remains to be seen whether Real Madrid will go on the offensive in January or wait until next summer. But one thing is certain: Castello Lukeba has the shoulders to wear the white jersey. And OL could well benefit from it.
