Chelsea transfer target Jhon Lucumi is holding out for a move to Juventus, according to reports in the Italian media.
Quotidiano Sportivo claims that the Blues are currently in “second place” in the battle for the Colombian international.
It was revealed by the same publication earlier this week that Xabi Alonso‘s side, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest had joined Juve in pursuing Lucumi.
However, at this moment in time, the centre-back has made it clear that he wants to remain in Italy if he leaves Bologna.
Why is there so much interest in Lucumi?
The 28-year-old has less than a year left on his contract, and his asking price has been set at €25m (£21.5m), which is a reasonable figure for a player of his experience and ability.
Most Read on Chelsea News
Lucumi is said to have had a crunch meeting with Bologna on Tuesday about his future, but it appears that those talks didn’t lead to the player changing his stance on who he wants to join.
Quotidiano Sportivo reports that Juventus “need to sell” before they make a move for the defender, and he has been given assurances that the Bianconeri will make a move by the start of next week. If that doesn’t happen, though, he may have to consider other destinations.
Chelsea already have enough centre-backs
The persistent links to Lucumi are slightly perplexing when you take into account what Alonso has said on the size of the first-team squad.
In an interview last week, the Spaniard made it clear that he only wants “four or five” centre-halves. He currently has nine at his disposal, although several of them could leave Stamford Bridge, either on loan or on a permanent basis, over the next few weeks.
Trevoh Chalobah is set to join Como, Axel Disasi has concrete interest from Crystal Palace and West Ham, Benoit Badiashile could move to Napoli, while Mamadou Sarr and Aaron Anselmino are likely to be loaned out. Tosin Adarabioyo is also up for sale. If these six are all offloaded, then there may be room to sign Lucumi.