**Chelsea have been named as potential contenders in the race to sign Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi, according to reports in Italy.**
[_Quotidiano Sportivo_](https://sport.quotidiano.net/calcio/bologna/bologna-anche-il-chelsea-piomba-0f8958e9) claims that the Blues, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest have all registered their interest in the Colombian international “in the last few hours.”
Lucumi is within the final year of his contract, and Bologna have decided that he will be sold this summer.
The Serie A side have already rejected an offer from Juventus for the 28-year-old, as they are holding out for €25m (£21.4m), and the interest from Premier League teams will likely lead to their asking price being met.
Lucumi is set to hold talks about his future
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Up until now, it is believed that the Colombian has had a preference to join Juve, but interest from England may turn his head.
_Quotidiano Sportivo_ report that Lucumi “will speak” with Bologna’s hierarchy today (Tuesday 4th August) to discuss his options, and that could open the door for a move to Chelsea or another Premier League team before the transfer window closes.
Do Chelsea need another centre-back?
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Some fans will be surprised to see the Blues linked with Lucumi, considering the position that he plays. Manager Xabi Alonso has made it clear that he only wants “four or five” centre-halves in the first-team squad.
Following the arrival of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, Alonso currently has seven at his disposal, including Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi.
However, Chalobah is expected to complete his £30.8m move to Como very soon, while [**Badiashile**](https://chelseanews.com/blog/chelsea-transfer-news-benoit-badiashile/) and Disasi also have offers to leave Stamford Bridge.
For that reason, there could be room for Lucumi in the squad, and the fact that he is available for a relatively low price also makes him a tempting target.