Leeds could have cheaper Pascal Struijk successor thanks to Jhon Lucumi clause update

Leeds United could sign Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi for less than Sassuolo's Tarik Muharemovic.

The Whites have been linked with left-footed centre-backs after Pascal Struijk's departure and the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is being heavily linked with them.

As things stand, the West Yorkshire outfit will have to pay a hefty sum to beat competition for Muharemovic's signature.

Lucumi has been a target at Elland Road and his situation at Bologna certainly looks more appealing.

With Paraag Marathe admitting there will be financial difficulties in LS11 due to the new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules, 49ers Enterprises will surely look to be smart with their money.

Both the Colombia international and the Sassuolo centre-back are available this summer and one of them presents a cheaper deal.

How much Leeds United will have to pay for Jhon Lucumi

MOT Leeds News covered Leeds' interest in Lucumi last summer, but the club ultimately signed Jaka Bijol to bolster their squad.

The 28-year-old's £23.8million release clause is set to expire on 15 July and no team has shown any interest in triggering it.

According to Tutto Juve journalist Mirko Di Natale on 13 July, Bologna will demand £21.3m, including bonuses, to sanction the defender's sale.

Muharemovic's signing at Elland Road could cost £34m, according to Leeds Live, and the 49ers may be tempted to reignite their interest in the Colombian defender instead.

How Jhon Lucumi fared at 2026 World Cup

Lucumi played a key role for Colombia at the 2026 World Cup, starting in all five of their games.

As per Sofascore, the defender recorded a top speed of 33.8 kilometres per hour, indicating a decent recovery pace.

The centre-back was part of a backline that kept three clean sheets and he averaged one interception, four ball recoveries and 4.6 clearances per game at the tournament.

Lucumi would certainly bring composure to the West Yorkshire outfit, recording 91 per cent passing accuracy at the World Cup, and aerial dominance, winning 73 per cent of his aerial duels.

It's now up to the Peacocks to decide what they want to do, as Juventus are lining up to sign the defender from Bologna.