Manchester United and Chelsea have both pursued the services of Bologna and Colombia defender Jhon Lucumi, signalling a growing interest in the 28‑year‑old as his contract enters its final year.
In the early summer, United concentrated on strengthening the midfield after the departures of Casemiro and the long‑term injury of Manuel Ugarte. The club secured Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa to bolster the squad.
Beyond midfield, United’s manager has been looking to add depth at left‑back, centre‑back and striker. Discussions have taken place with Newcastle United over Lewis Hall, while interest has also been expressed in Arsenal’s Myles Lewis‑Skelly. Injuries to Matthijs De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez have prompted a search for a new centre‑back.
Jhon Lucumi, who has appeared in all five of Colombia’s World Cup matches, has attracted attention from several clubs. The defender has made over 150 appearances for Bologna, helped the club qualify for European competition last season and was part of the Coppa Italia winning side in 2025.
Both United and Chelsea have approached Bologna for Lucumi, with the club demanding a £21 million upfront fee and an additional £3 million in potential add‑ons. A proposal from Juventus was rejected, while other offers have come from Como and Nottingham Forest.
Under new leadership, Chelsea is considering selling several centre‑backs, including Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi. The club’s recent signings include Morgan Rogers, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson, as the squad prepares for the upcoming season.
Lucumi’s experience in Serie A and international football could provide United with Champions League exposure, while Chelsea’s European ambitions remain uncertain. The transfer window will determine whether the Colombian defender remains in Italy or moves to England to face new challenges.
