Liverpool hone in on £75m-rated defender to REPLACE Van Dijk

Red Bull and Liverpool have enjoyed a fruitful partnership over the last number of years.

Liverpool transfer latest: Reds find the one to REPLACE Virgil van Dijk as star refuses new contract

Not only has Jurgen Klopp ended up as Global Head of Football for the energy drinks giant, there have also been numerous players and coaches exchanged in recent seasons.

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Klopp's former assistant Pep Lijnders and fellow Liverpool coach Vitor Matos went to Red Bull Salzburg at the end of last season but a short, unhappy coaching spell ended just before Christmas.

They were joined by midfielder Bobby Clark on a permanent basis in Austria while Stefan Bajcetic went to Salzburg on a one-year loan deal that was ended after six months.

Liverpool linked with £75m Lukeba

Liverpool have signed several players from the Red Bull group including Takumi Minamino, Naby Keita, Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai.

The latter three came in from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig for hefty fees and the Red Bulls have provided a rich development ground for future Liverpool stars.

There have been reports that the Reds would like to add Xavi Simons to the ranks next season while there are rumours linking Benjamin Sesko with a move to Anfield.

And now a new report from Sport Bild claims that Liverpool are among the top sides interested in signing star defender Castello Lukeba.

The 22-year-old centre-back joined Leipzig from Lyon back in 2023 and has gone on to establish himself as a consistent defender in the Champions League and Bundesliga. He is under contract with Leipzig until 2029 having recently penned a contract extension.

But Sport Bild believes that Lukeba and his entourage are plotting a “mega transfer” next summer with a €90m (£75m) release clause set by Leipzig.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United are the Premier League teams listed as interested by the German publication while Real Madrid are also reported to have their eye on the Frenchman.

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The left-sided defender would occupy Virgil van Dijk’s natural role in the line-up and should he fail to sign a new contract then Lukeba would very much be a contender to come in to replace him.

This season he has played 11 times in the German top flight as well as five times in the Champions League.

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