Aston Villa Join Race For Wanted Serie A Defender | OneFootball

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Two Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, have now joined the race for Serie A centre-back Jhon Lucumi, who is a wanted name this summer.

The Villa Park outfit will be playing in the Europa League next season and will look to make a big impact in that competition as it offers another route into the Champions League.

Unai Emery has done a very commendable job at the Villans since his arrival, and is fully expected to be backed this summer, even as the club wrestle with PSR.

They have been linked with central defenders already, as strengthening the defence is a big part of their plans, following Axel Disasi’s exit.

Valencia’s Cristhian Mosquera has been linked with Aston Villa, but they are looking at a host of centre-back options.

According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Aston Villa have now joined the race for Bologna’s 26-year-old Lucumi.

Bournemouth, who have lost Dean Huijsen and could also lose Illia Zabarnyi, are also interested in the Colombia international.

However, they are not the only suitors, as Turkish Super Lig giants Galatasaray and Serie A side Roma are keen on the 26-year-old.

Bologna, though, are clear about what they want to be paid to let Lucumi go, as they want nothing less than his €28m release clause.

And it has also been suggested that Bologna are in a strong position to demand that fee, because the Colombian’s contract does not expire until the summer of 2027.

European football is looming at Bologna next season and Lucumi is considered a very important part of Vincenzo Italiano’s squad.

The 26-year-old featured in 44 all competition games in the 2024-25 campaign for the Serie A outfit.