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Liverpool have been monitoring Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi ahead of the summer transfer window, Rousing The Kop can exclusively reveal.

The Reds are in the market for a new centre-back and were initially targeting Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen.

However, Huijsen looks likely to join Real Madrid, leaving Liverpool to consider other options.

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And after impressing for Bologna this season, Lucumi has emerged as a player on Liverpool’s shortlist.

The Colombian has been central to an excellent campaign for Vincenzo Italiano’s team and played the full 90 minutes in Wednesday’s victorious Coppa Italia final with AC Milan.

It’s understood Liverpool scouts have been checking in on Lucumi over recent months and are fully aware of the conditions needed to sign him from Bologna.

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Liverpool have long been keen to sign a left-sided centre-back as they look to ease the burden on Virgil van Dijk.

Huijsen was seen as an ideal target, but the Spaniard is far from the only player the Reds have been doing work on.

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At 26, Lucumi is far more experienced than Huijsen, but it’s understood that Liverpool view him as being of a suitable profile.

The Colombia international has drawn comparisons to Ibrahima Konate for his style of play and is seen as a ready-made option for the Liverpool squad.

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Liverpool are struggling to make progress in contract talks with Konate, leading to concerns that he could be sold this summer or leave on a free in 2026.

Despite those worries, though, Liverpool’s plans to make a new signing are understood to be unrelated to Konate’s situation.

Although Lucumi would represent a far more experienced option for Liverpool, they are also continuing to do work on a number of younger centre-backs.

After missing out on Huijsen, the Reds are understood to be casting their net wide to find the right addition.

Valencia’s Cristhian Mosquera has been watched, while Ousmane Diomande of Sporting Lisbon remains on their radar.

Diomande’s teammate Goncalo Inacio and Nantes’ Nathan Zeze have also been discussed as Liverpool move on from Huijsen.

Meanwhile, RTK understands Ajax youngster Jorrel Hato is a player of interest to Liverpool, but the Reds are currently viewing the 19-year-old as a potential addition at left-back.