Manchester City interest drives Bologna defender to stall contract renewal talks | OneFootball

Manchester City are weighing up a move for Bologna defender Jhon Lucumí as uncertainty grows over the Colombian’s future in Serie A, as per a new report.

City’s season continues to follow a familiar pattern: sustained competitiveness at the highest level, paired with quiet but deliberate planning behind the scenes. While the focus externally remains on results and trophies, the club’s internal work has been centred on squad evolution rather than overhaul.

Under Pep Guardiola, City have consistently refreshed key areas before decline sets in. Defensive planning, in particular, has become increasingly nuanced. This has placed a premium on defenders who combine physical robustness with tactical intelligence.

Even when City appears well-stocked, the club continues to scan the market for profiles that fit Guardiola’s positional demands and can integrate seamlessly into a possession-dominant system. The January window, traditionally a quieter period for City, is often used to explore opportunities created by contractual uncertainty elsewhere.

Rather than reacting to immediate shortages, the club tends to act when timing and leverage align. That approach has now brought attention to developments in Italy, where one of Serie A’s most reliable defenders is approaching a crossroads moment.

As reported by Il Resto del Carlino and relayed by Tuttomercatoweb and Get Football News Italy, Manchester City have emerged as a serious suitor for Jhon Lucumí.

Lucumí, 27, has become a cornerstone of Bologna’s defence under Vincenzo Italiano, offering consistency, leadership, and composure in possession. However, his contract situation has reached what Italian reports describe as a ‘critical juncture’.

Bologna have been attempting for months to tie Lucumí down to a new long-term deal, with his current contract expiring next summer. Those negotiations have now stalled, with little progress made towards an extension.

Crucially, Manchester City’s interest has altered the dynamic. The report states that Lucumí’s entourage are now waiting to see whether the eight-time Premier League champions formalise their interest before committing to any renewal discussions.

Lucumí’s reluctance to sign fresh terms has placed Bologna in a difficult position. While he remains central to Italiano’s backline, the club are increasingly aware that delaying a decision could weaken their leverage.

If no breakthrough is reached in the coming weeks, Bologna may be forced to consider a sale as early as this month to avoid entering the final stages of negotiations from a compromised position ahead of the summer window.

The prospect of a move to the Etihad Stadium is reportedly now the primary focus for the player’s camp. City’s reputation, Guardiola’s influence and the opportunity to compete at the highest European level represent a significant pull at this stage of Lucumí’s career.

Lucumí’s age, experience and adaptability fit a profile City often target when seeking to strengthen depth without disrupting balance.

Should City formalise their interest, Bologna would find it increasingly difficult to resist, particularly if no contract agreement is in sight. Any move would likely command a significant fee, reflecting Lucumí’s importance and market demand.

As things stand, in a market shaped as much by timing as talent, Lucumí’s unresolved future has created an opening. Whether Manchester City choose to step through it may depend on how quickly Bologna’s negotiations continue to stall.