Barcelona Eyes Cheaper Serie A Defender Jhon Lucumi as Bastoni Alternative

Barcelona's long-standing interest in Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni is no secret, with the talented center-back reportedly their top priority for strengthening the defense this summer. However, Director of Football Deco faces a challenging transfer window marked by budget uncertainties, necessitating contingency plans should a deal for Bastoni prove unfeasible.

Italian media reports indicate that Barcelona has initiated negotiations for Bastoni, even submitting an initial offer. This bid, however, falls short of Inter's valuation, suggesting that extensive discussions will be required to bridge the gap. In anticipation of potential hurdles, the Catalan giants have already identified other promising targets.

Barcelona Explores Cut-Price Alternative to Bastoni

Among these alternatives, Colombian defender Jhon Lucumi of Bologna has emerged as a strong candidate. Various Italian outlets suggest that Barcelona is actively considering Lucumi, who is expected to be available for approximately €25 million this summer. With only a year left on his contract, the Bologna player has attracted significant interest from several clubs.

Premier League and Turkish Clubs Also Interested in Lucumi

Lucumi's availability has also caught the attention of Premier League clubs Bournemouth and Sunderland, with the latter having reportedly pursued him last year. Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are also rumored to be interested. The broad interest indicates that discussions are likely in their preliminary stages, possibly driven by agent-led inquiries.

Jhon Lucumi: Player Profile

Barcelona previously showed interest in the 27-year-old in 2024, and Atletico Madrid has also been linked in the past year. A fast, left-footed defender, Lucumi developed at the renowned Deportivo Cali youth academy before moving to KRC Genk in 2018 for €2.5 million. Four years ago, Bologna acquired him for €8 million. His value has since soared, particularly as Bologna has achieved European qualification and won the Coppa Italia. Lucumi is also a consistent fixture in the Colombian national squad, boasting 35 international caps.