Chelsea could soon enter the transfer market for a new centre-back.
That is because Thiago Silva is now expected to leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Wife Belle has already hinted that the central defender will not be signing a new deal at Chelsea.
Silva will not be easy to replace, though.
The Brazilian has been a key player for the Blues since joining them from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020. In total, he has made 150 appearances for Chelsea and helped the club to win the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
Chelsea eyeing £60m central defender
So who could replace Silva at Stamford Bridge next season?
Well, in terms of potential successors, it appears that Chelsea are currently looking in Germany.
According to Foot Mercato, Chelsea are one of a few English clubs who have RB Leipzig’s Castello Lukeba on their shortlist.
However, the same outlet has claimed that Leipzig do not want to sell the 21-year-old this summer and his €70m (£59.9m) release clause does not become active until 2025.
The last bit of business done between the German club and Chelsea saw Christopher Nkunku swap sides.
Should Castello Lukeba replace Thiago Silva at Chelsea?
Lukeba could be a really good ball-playing defender for Chelsea next season.
Over the last year, the Frenchman has ranked in the 94th percentile for successful take-ons among centre-backs (FBref). This is someone who can bring the ball out of defence.
However, Mauricio Pochettino‘s current crop of centre-halves are quite young. Levi Colwill, for example, turned 21 in February, while Benoit Badiashile is only 23.
Losing a player of Silva’s experience, Chelsea probably need someone a bit older than Lukeba.
With Leipzig not keen on doing a deal this summer either, it could cost more than Lukeba’s £60m release clause to get him out of the Red Bull Arena. At that figure or beyond, it would make the France international one of Chelsea’s most expensive signings of all time.
