Andoni Iraola's very own Ibrahima Konate has been found

Andoni Iraola's time as Liverpool manager has been a bit of a roller coaster so far.

The Spaniard took over at the start of July and, although the Reds did fairly well in their pre-season games, that same level of performance hasn't really followed them through to the actual season.

So far, the Reds have lost three games across all competitions and have failed to fill their fans with any sort of confidence that things can be turned around.

And, with the transfer window now just around the corner, fans have started to question what sort of moves Liverpool could make to improve their fortunes.

Indeed, Liverpool may have already spent around £600 million on new players over the last couple of seasons but, with the level of player they're being linked with, it feels like a lot more than that is going to be spent.

Liverpool have re-ignited their interest in Castello Lukeba

Ibrahima Konate's departure during the 2026-27 summer transfer window was one that many fans expected.

For the last couple of years, talks between the Frenchman and Liverpool about a new contract had taken place but, each time either party was asked about negotiations, nobody could give a definitive answer about whether an agreement was going to be reached.

This led fans to realise that Konate's time was up, especially when it was announced that Jeremy Jacquet would be joining Liverpool for £55 million.

From that point on, fans have come to grips with the loss of the Frenchman and have tried to source a new player to plug the gap.

That's where RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba comes in.

As per a fresh update from FootballFanCast, Liverpool are now the most likely team to sign Lukeba.

"Football FanCast sources understand that Liverpool are currently the most interested Premier League club in signing RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba," they wrote.

"The 23-year-old has attracted attention from several leading English sides, with Arsenal having monitored his development for an extended period and Manchester United also expressing interest.

"However, Liverpool are understood to have emerged as the strongest suitors, and sources understand the Frenchman's representatives have informed all three suitors of his desire to move to the Premier League."

Castello Lukeba could become Andoni Iraola's version of Ibrahima Konate

Looking back at Konate's time with Liverpool, there were definitely some highs and lows.

The Frenchman won the Premier League twice and the Champions League once but, towards the end of his time at Anfield, he was making some rather silly mistakes.

Whether he was misplacing passes or mistiming challenges, some fans were happy to see him go.

But, when he was at his best, Konate was easily one of the Premier League's best centre-backs.

This is exactly who Lukeba could become. Not only is he another French centre-back from RB Leipzig but he's also a similar age to when Konate left Leipzig for L4 back in 2021.

Much like Konate, Lukeba also has a release clause within his Leizpig contract and, although his is worth a bit more than Konate's was, it feels like 23-year-old has a lot of potential to fulfil.

Of course, these are just rumours at the moment but, of all the centre-backs linked with Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window, Lukeba is one of the deals that makes the most sense.