Leeds United are stepping up their search for a new centre-back after Pascal Struijk left the club to join Brighton in the ongoing summer transfer window.
With Struijk opting against signing a new contract, Leeds decided it was the right time to cash in rather than risk losing him for less down the line. Brighton moved quickly to strike a deal and finalise his arrival.
The transfer is expected to bring Leeds an initial £15m, with the fee potentially rising by another £3m through performance-related add-ons.
Leeds have stepped up their efforts to sign a centre-back, and the price tag of a World Cup defender they have been tracking has not been revealed.
Jhon Lucumi has a release clause in his contract
The 28-year-old centre-back is having a fine World Cup and recently pocketed Cristiano Ronaldo in Colombia’s 0-0 draw against Portugal in a World Cup group game.
Jhon Lucumi is preparing for Colombia’s last 32 clash against Ghana on Friday night. However, his future could be finalised even before he returns from the World Cup.
Lucumi fits the profile of centre-back Daniel Farke wants as Struijk’s replacement, and according to Tutto Mercato, he is available for a reasonable buyout clause.
Lucumi’s contract has a release clause worth £24m, and is valid until mid-July, shortening the window for any club wanting to sign him at that figure.
Bologna are resigned to losing the defender in the ongoing summer transfer window, and are waiting for offers to arrive on their table.
Juventus are also interested in the centre-back, but they do not want to pay the release clause and are keen to negotiate a fee this summer.
Leeds have been linked with an interest in him, and Lucumi fits the profile of defender the club are looking for.
Sunderland nearly signed him last summer
Jhon Lucumi emerged as one of Sunderland’s top targets last summer, and they pushed hard to take him to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland tabled a bid similar to his current release clause, and were confident of securing an agreement to sign the Colombian centre-back.
However, the timing was not right for Bologna to sell him as they had just sold two key players, and were not prepared to sanction his departure.
Lucumi expressed his unhappiness through his agent, but ultimately decided to accept his fate and stay at Bologna for one more season.
It remains to be seen whether Sunderland get involved again for a centre-back they were keen on last summer.
