Barcelona explore Castello Lukeba deal after defender changes agents

Barcelona have moved closer to a possible deal for Castello Lukeba after the France defender changed his representatives to help secure a move away from Leipzig next summer.

The 23-year-old centre-back is one of the players Barcelona are considering as they look to strengthen their defence. According to Sport, citing Sky Germany, Lukeba appointed Excellence Sport Nation as his new agency, with the company also representing Barcelona defender Jules Kounde.

Lukeba was reportedly extremely unhappy with his previous agents after they failed to find him a new club during last summer’s transfer window. He has now placed the next stage of his career in the hands of his new representatives.

The France international’s preference is to move to Spain rather than join a Premier League club, despite having received offers from England. Barcelona is among his favoured destinations.

Lukeba is prepared to remain with Leipzig until the end of the season, when the release clause in his contract will fall from 80m euros to 65m euros. He is under contract with the German club until 2029.

Both player and club are understood to view next summer as the right time to bring his time in the Bundesliga to an end. Leipzig are also open to negotiating a sale, with the intention of securing a significant financial return.

Barcelona have already begun exploring the possibility of a transfer. Lukeba’s new agent met the club’s sporting director, Deco, at the end of last month to discuss the defender’s situation and assess whether a move could be completed.

Those discussions allowed the initial financial figures to be considered, while both sides examined the possible terms of any negotiations.

Although Lukeba’s release clause will be 65m euros, Leipzig could accept a slightly lower fee and offer Barcelona more flexibility over the payment schedule. That approach would be similar to the agreement used for Dani Olmo’s move, when the German club also showed flexibility to help complete the transfer.

Lukeba would be willing to play a personal role in making a move to Barcelona happen. His desire to continue his career in Spain could become an important factor if the Catalan club decide to take their interest further.

His profile also fits the type of strategic signing Barcelona are seeking to reinforce the centre-back position. The defender believes the time has come to take the next step in his career, and changing his agency represents the first move in a deal that could gather pace over the coming months.

The fixture listings accompanying the report show Leipzig scheduled to face Augsburg in the Bundesliga on 07 November 2026. Barcelona are listed to play Atletico Madrid in La Liga on 08 November 2026.