Chelsea are tracking Lyon centre-back Castello Lukeba, according to journalist Rob Pratley.
The 20-year-old has established himself as a regular starter over the past twelve months at the Ligue One club, and Pratley says the player has been “watched”, along with two of his teammates:
Whilst scouting Malo Gusto, Chelsea have also been observing Castello Lukeba and Rayan Cherkhi. Lukeba has been watched by several top clubs but Lyon are reluctant to entertain offers. His contract expires in 2025.
— Rob (@RJPJournalism) December 20, 2022
Lukeba has been compared to Samuel Umtiti, who came through Lyon’s academy before making the switch to Barcelona and winning the World Cup for France in 2018.
The defender has also been linked with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund in recent months, and that is not a surprise considering his impressive displays in the French top flight.
As Pratley points out, though, Lyon are “reluctant” to let Lukeba go, and it will probably take a sizeable sum if the Blues want to prise him away from his current team.
With the centre-half being left-footed, it is more than likely that he is a backup option if Graham Potter’s side fail to land their number one target: Josko Gvardiol.