Real Madrid reportedly had a representative in attendance to watch Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi during their Champions League clash with Lille in midweek.
Carlo Ancelotti's men have been hit incredibly hard by rearguard injuries in the current campaign, as Eder Militao and David Alaba are both on the mend from devastating ACL problems.
Alaba has spent nearly a year out with his concern and is not scheduled to come back until 2025, while Militao had just recovered from one severe issue before suffering another debilitating knee injury earlier this month.
Makeshift defender Aurelien Tchouameni has also been sidelined by an ankle concern of late, forcing Ancelotti to deploy 21-year-old Raul Asencio alongside Antonio Rudiger in the middle of defence.
The Castilla graduate has earned his keep and made a spectacular goal-line clearance in Wednesday's Champions League showdown with Liverpool, although the holders still slumped to a 2-0 loss at Anfield.
Lucumi "a concrete option" for Real Madrid in January
© Imago
A new centre-back could arrive at the Bernabeu in January as a result of Real's injury crisis, and according to journalist Rudy Galetti, Bologna's Lucumi is a player whom Los Blancos have their eye on.
The 26-year-old has been with the Italian giants since 2022 and played an integral role in their shock top-five Serie A finish in 2023-24, forming a solid defensive unit with Riccardo Calafiori before the Italian's marquee move to Arsenal.
Lucumi remained at Bologna over the summer and remains a fundamental cog in the Rossoblu backline, playing every minute of their Champions League campaign so far and scoring against Lille on Wednesday.
The Colombia international's effort was not enough to prevent Bologna from losing 2-1, their fourth European defeat on the bounce, but Galetti claims that he is a "concrete option" for Real Madrid in January.
A Blancos scout is said to have travelled to watch the 6ft 1in Lucumi in action in midweek, and Bologna would be prepared to sanction his exit in the New Year if a club comes forward with a "suitable offer".
🚨🏟️ A #RealMadrid representative was in #Bologna last night to closely monitor Jhon #Lucumi.
— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) November 28, 2024
📃 The 🇪🇸 club considers the 🇨🇴 CB - who scored vs Lille - a concrete option to strengthen the defence.
💰 With a suitable offer, the 🔴🔵 are willing to evaluate his farewell. #RMCF pic.twitter.com/D4LTtSMjIo
Lucumi's Bologna deal only has two years left to run, and the former Genk man has also established himself as a first-choice in the Colombia XI, playing the full 90 minutes in each of their last six matches.
What other centre-backs are Real Madrid targeting?
Real youngster Asencio has shown enough to suggest that he can fill the Alaba and Militao void competently, and Ancelotti also has Jesus Vallejo in his ranks, but he is incredibly far down the pecking order.
A new defender arriving in January is therefore not beyond the realm of possibility, and Los Blancos are believed to be strong admirers of Arsenal's William Saliba, who has quickly become one of the most lauded centre-backs on the planet.
However, the Gunners reportedly plan to rebuff any offers for the Frenchman in January or the summer, and the same goes for Tottenham Hotspur and Cristian Romero, although the Argentine is rumoured to be open to a switch to Madrid.
Moves for former stars Casemiro and Nacho Fernandez have also been mooted, although a player of Lucumi's age, cost and profile is surely the best avenue for Los Blancos to explore.
Ben Knapton
