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Nottingham Forest transfer news## Jhon Lucumi has plenty of suitors this summer and Nottingham Forest face stiff competition
13:55, 20 Jul 2026
Nottingham Forest's hopes of landing Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi have taken a huge blow after the centre-back's priority emerged over the weekend.
The Reds are in the market for new central defenders in the window amid uncertainty over Nikola Milenkovic's future and Murillo's current injury. As well as Lucumi, Forest have been tipped to sign Arthur Theate, Lloyd Kelly and Ousmane Diomande.
However, Lucumi has been heavily linked with a switch to the City Ground since Colombia's World Cup exit. Unfortunately, Oliver Glasner's men face an uphill battle in landing the 28-year-old.
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Italian-based news outlet Il Resto del Carlino have reported that the defender, who is in the final 12 months of his contract, is wanted by Premier League rivals Sunderland, as well as Serie A giants Inter and Juventus.
The report says that Lucumi will prioritise staying in Italy this summer, with Juventus said to have already attempted to tempt Bologna's valuation by offering Vasilije Adzic as part of a swap deal.
To make matters worse for Forest, Manchester United and Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal have entered the race. Another story from Italy, via Il Resto del Carlino, claims that talk of a move to Old Trafford is 'beginning to swirl' and United could be appealing to the defender.
Lucimi is understood to have had a release clause worth €25m, which is now expired. The expectation now is that he could be available for less than that, although Bologna remain desperate to keep hold of the defender.
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