Jhon Lucumí is back on Manchester United's radar, but this is not a simple chase for a centre-back. Bologna want €25 million plus €3 million in add-ons, Lucumi has 12 months left on his current contract, and Chelsea, Juventus and Nottingham Forest have all been linked or have made moves.

Bologna's price and Lucumi's contract

The contract situation is what keeps this open. With only 12 months left, Bologna are trying to protect their value, not hand over a defender on the cheap. That is why the fee demand matters so much here: €25 million plus €3 million in add-ons gives them a clear asking price, even if the clock is working against them.

Lucumi's numbers help explain why interest has not gone away. He made 43 appearances in all competitions last season, and his season average rating is 6.94 across the tracked competition. He also started all five of Colombia's games at the World Cup, where they conceded just one goal.

United's need and the competition for his signature

United's interest makes sense because they are looking for defensive reinforcements with Lisandro Martinez injured and Matthijs de Ligt reportedly some way off playing again after back surgery. The club are not shopping for luxury depth. They need a centre-back who can step into the mix quickly.

Fabrizio Romano said United "really appreciate" Lewis Hall and that the player is "on the Manchester United list", but he also warned that Newcastle "will make their life complicated". Those quotes were about a different target, not Lucumi, yet they do underline a familiar point about United's market: approval is one thing, getting the deal done is another.

On Lucumi, the field is crowded. Chelsea's interest keeps the pressure on, Juventus are in the conversation, and Nottingham Forest have also been linked. United may have renewed their pursuit, but Bologna still control the opening price and the player is not short of options.

The most important detail is that Lucumi wants a big club, which only sharpens the competition around him. United are a fit, but they are not alone, and Bologna have set a valuation that will force any bidder to make a proper decision before this moves on.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →