Manchester United and Chelsea are weighing up summer bids for RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba, according to Foot Mercato.

The French website claim that the two Premier League teams have their “eye” on the 21-year-old who has impressed with his performances for both club and country over the past year.

Lukeba only moved to Germany from Lyon for €30m in August, but he has made 37 appearances in all competitions for Leipzig this season, as well as getting his first senior cap for France back in October.

Foot Mercato report that United have been “monitoring” the defender for “several weeks”, while Chelsea have made enquiries about him even more recently.

Lukeba can be signed for £60m this summer

One reason why the Red Devils are seriously considering making an offer for the France international is the existence of a release clause in his contract.

It is believed that Lukeba can be snapped up in the next transfer window if a club is willing to match his €70m (£60m) buyout fee.

United are in the market for a new centre-half

Raphael Varane is expected to leave Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of the season. United do have the option to extend his stay for a further twelve months but the club are unwilling to continue paying him £340,000 a week.

The World Cup winner’s departure means a replacement will be required. The likes of Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba, Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo, Benfica’s Antonio Silva, Juventus’s Gleison Bremer and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite are known to be on the club’s radar.

However, it appears that Lukeba is another name that has come under consideration. Technical Director Jason Wilcox and incoming CEO Omar Berrada are expected to lead the club’s recruitment this summer, and they will make the final decision on which centre-back will be targeted.