Newly-promoted Premier League side Fulham have set sights on KRC Genk centre-back Jhon Lucumi.
According to journalist Pipe Sierra, KRC Genk centre-back is a hot property in the transfer market right now, with multiple clubs showing interest in securing the 24-year-old defender’s services. Newly-promoted Premier League side Fulham have now joined the race for the Colombian international’s signature.
Jhon Lucumi joined KRC Genk in the 2018 summer transfer window and has since grown into an important player at the Belgian club. In four seasons with Genk, the 24-year-old has made 136 appearances at the heart of the defence, also scoring three goals and providing two assists.
But with just a year remaining on his contract with the Belgian giants, the Colombian international is attracting interest from all around Europe. So far, just one club, Bologna, have made an official approach for Lucumi, submitting a bid worth €5 million plus €1.5 million in add-ons. Genk are yet to react to the bid, leaving other interested parties in with a shot.
Bournemouth and Atalanta are among the clubs monitoring the Colombian defender’s situation, along with Fulham, and a transfer battle could be on the cards if Bologna’s offer is turned down by Genk.
? Primera oferta que llega al #Genk por Jhon Lucumí (24): #Bologna. Los italianos han ofertado 5M€ +1.5 en bonos por el colombiano
? De momento, no hay respuesta por parte de los belgas. #Bournemouth, #Fulham y #Atalanta también han seguido de cerca la situación del defensa pic.twitter.com/GVtuZ5l9SM
— Pipe Sierra (@PSierraR) August 1, 2022
The Cottagers gained promotion to the English top-flight this year after finishing atop the Championship table in the 2021/22 season. Fulham have had a busy summer transfer window trying to strengthen various positions in the squad and have completed four signings so far.
Portuguese midfielder Joao Palinha has joined Fulham from Sporting Lisbon. In addition, Brazilian playmaker Andreas Pereira has been signed from Manchester United as well, along with Swiss right-back Kevin Mbabu and Israeli winger Manor Solomon, who has arrived at Craven Cottage on loan.
Central defence is another area Marco Silva is keen to add reinforcements to, and Fulham see Lucumi as a feasible target. If Bologna’s opening offer is anything to go by, the 24-year-old Colombian international should be available for around €10 million, considering he has just a year remaining on his contract.
Fulham have the likes of Chelsea’s Malang Sarr and Leicester City’s Jannik Vestergaard on their radar as well. It will be interesting to see who the London club will bring in to bolster the heart of their defence this summer.
