Following yesterday’s report that Leipzig were closing in on a deal to sign Lyon defensive prospect Castello Lukeba, L’Équipe now indicate this morning that Les Gones have turned down the German side’s offer for the centre-back.
The Bundesliga outfit had put forward a proposal consisting of €26m as a base fee, along with €6m in bonuses. Lyon, however, are holding out for €30m excluding add-ons, along with a share of the profit of any future sale.
Lukeba, who remains under contract for another two seasons, has agreed personal terms with Leipzig in the meantime. The French youth international has been a mainstay of the Lyon defence for the last two campaigns, emerging as one of France’s most promising defensive prospects, despite his team’s consecutive midtable finishes.
However, the club may be forced to sell him this summer in the wake of the restrictions imposed on them by the DNCG, French football’s financial watchdog. Due to irregularities found in the budget put forward by Lyon boss John Textor, the team’s transfer business is being closely monitored.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
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