The eye-watering fee Leeds United have been told to pay for defender, almost as much as Georginio Rutter

Add as preferred source on Google

Leeds United will need a new centre-back this summer for two reasons. One, because Daniel Farke lacks depth in the middle of the defence and two, Leeds need a quality option next to Joe Rodon.

If Leeds are going to survive relegation, they will need quality in defence. Rodon represents that, an experienced international player with Premier League know how – and Leeds need the same next to him.

Pascal Struijk is first choice, but the vice-captain’s form has not been on the same level as Rodon. Struijk is also injury-prone, and it often forces skipper Ethan Ampadu to play alongside Rodon at the back.

But Ampadu is best used in midfield. In the Premier League, Leeds need their best players in their best positions at all times. It means, the 49ers have to make a big signing at centre-back to go with Rodon.

• READ MORE: Jack Harrison saga takes another twist as Everton return still a possibility

Leeds told how much Bologna want for defender Jhon Lucumi

Leeds are interested in Bologna’s 28-time Colombia star Jhon Lucumi. He has starred for Bologna over the last three seasons, playing 109 times for the Serie A outfit who have improved greatly in recent years.

This season, Bologna only finished ninth but did win the Coppa Italia, qualifying for the Europa League. But Lucumi is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract and could look for pastures new, soon.

Italian outlet Il Resto Del Carlino now reports how much Bologna want for Lucumi if he is to leave the Serie A side this summer. The club want between £25m and £33.5m, which would be a massive outlay.

Barcelona also interested in Lucumi, Thiago Motta a big fan

The report from IRDC says that Barcelona have been scouting Lucumi for months and will be front and centre when it comes to any race for Lucumi’s signature. A £33.5m fee would almost break Leeds’ record.

That currently stands at Georginio Rutter’s £35.5m move from Hoffenheim in January 2023. But Lucumi is a top player and is worth it, with his old Bologna boss praising his intelligence, as per Football Italia.

“My players have this tactical intelligence. They can look at each other and understand which is the right moment to go where. They had this freedom to move around,” Motta said, when asked about Lucumi.

Leeds also have Max Wober as an option at centre-back, but Wober is expected to leave. It might mean that Leeds need not just one centre-back, but two new defenders before the summer transfer deadline.