Bayern Munich weighing Castello Lukeba among defensive options should Kim Min-jae depart

Munich—Bayern Munich have placed RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba on their internal list of defensive targets for the coming transfer window, though any move remains conditional on the future of South Korean international Kim Min-jae, sources have confirmed.

Max Eberl, who worked with Lukeba during his own time at Leipzig, has tracked the 23-year-old Frenchman since taking up his current post at the Bavarian giants and is known to be an admirer of the player. At present, however, the club’s hierarchy stresses that no purchase is imminent. Should Bayern receive an acceptable offer for Kim, the resulting funds could be redirected toward a new central defender, instantly elevating Lukeba’s candidacy.

The Paris-born defender is valued well within the upper tier of the market, a price bracket that has historically steered Leipzig exports toward England’s Premier League. Dominik Szoboszlai’s impact at Liverpool is cited within the club as evidence of the division’s readiness to embrace Leipzig-developed talent, while Bayern’s own capture of Dayot Upamecano in 2021 is viewed as proof that similar deals can prosper in Munich. Yet officials caution that a repeat swoop cannot be taken for granted, particularly with English suitors capable of meeting Leipzig’s valuation.

Lukeba is not the only name under consideration. Luka Vušković, the highly rated Croatian teenager, is also being monitored, though Bayern insiders insist the club currently regards another centre-back as surplus to requirements. The situation is described as “fluid”, with the final decision hinging on outgoings rather than fresh scouting reports.