Nottingham Forest turn attention to Jhon Lucumi as release clause expiry revealed

Nottingham Forest have joined the race for World Cup star Jhon Lucumi as Oliver Glasner eyes defensive reinforcements.

Forest have set their sights on the 28-year-old centre-back, who was linked with Sunderland last summer.

The Colombia international, who featured regularly in the 2026 World Cup, has a £23.9million release clause at Bologna.

However, sources say this is set to expire on 15 July, meaning Forest are running out of time to secure the defender for this price tag.

Lucumi was a regular at Bologna last season and made 29 appearances in the Serie A.

After the club missed out on European football, Juventus and Inter Milan are also credited with interest.

Nottingham Forest continue to look at Serie A stars

Nottingham Forest have regularly looked to the Serie A to secure their signings in recent years.

Both Nicolo Savona and Douglas Luiz joined the club from Juventus last summer, and now the Tricky Trees are looking to add to their collection.

Sources say the release clause presents an opportunity for Forest, who are considering a move.

The East Midlands outfit has a good relationship with Bologna and brought Dan Ndoye from the club last summer.

However, it remains to be seen if Lucumi would be prepared to move to the City Ground, after already expressing his openness to a move to Juventus.

How good is Lucumi?

According to Fotmob on 10 July, Lucumi had a solid season in the Serie A in the 2025-26 campaign, despite the club’s disappointing finish.

Overall, he averaged, 4.70 accurate long balls, a 72.7 per cent aerial duel win rate, 0.94 interceptions, 3.76 recoveries, 0.56 clean sheets and 0.19 goals conceded while on the pitch, per 90 minutes.

This helped Bologna concede just 46 goals in 38 matches in the Italian top-flight, with this form continuing at the World Cup, where he kept four clean sheets in five matches before Colombia were knocked out on penalties by Switzerland in the round of 16.

Therefore, if Forest were to activate Lucumi’s release clause and bring him to the club, he could be a fantastic addition for Glasner’s squad.

However, given the stiff competition for his signature, it remains to be seen if the Tricky Trees are able to get a deal over the line in the coming weeks.