Juventus Transfer Market: Jhon Lucumí Has Made His Decision—Wake Up, Bianconeri!
Jhon Lucumí continues to wait for Juventus. The Colombian defender has chosen to prioritize the Bianconeri, going so far as to turn down advances from two Süper Lig clubs in recent days and to bide his time even in the face of an attractive offer from the Premier League. The message conveyed to his representatives is clear: a move to Turin remains the priority, provided that Juventus decides to make a move within the next few days. This stance confirms the Bologna center back’s desire to wear the Bianconeri jersey.
Meanwhile, talks between the two clubs are reportedly back on. Juventus management, with Giovanni Carnevali and Ricky Massara leading the way, has reportedly reopened talks with Bologna not only to discuss Lucumí’s future but also to address the matter involving Fabio Miretti, who could be part of the discussions between the two clubs.
It’s worth noting that Juventus’ interest in Lucumí is far from recent. As early as last year’s winter transfer window, Luciano Spalletti had identified the Colombian as his top defensive target, sparking a transfer battle with Roma, which Juventus ultimately won. The center back’s history with Bologna is, after all, already marked by a significant precedent: last summer, the Colombian was on the verge of joining Sunderland, but the transfer was blocked by Bologna following Beukema’s departure to Napoli. Since then, Lucumí has shown no signs of being open to renewing his contract, which expires in 2027—a stalemate that effectively forces the Emilia-Romagna-based club to consider a sale.
As for the competition, Milan had also made an exploratory inquiry regarding the Colombian defender, according to reports from some South American media outlets. Previously, Inter had also long viewed Lucumí as the ideal fit for their defensive overhaul, with sporting director Piero Ausilio having included him on the list of candidates to carry on the legacy of Acerbi and De Vrij. Inter’s interest was genuine but did not translate into a decisive move, leaving the field open for Juventus.
The negotiations, however, remain contingent on the financial situation facing Juventus’s management. After the investments already made for Kolo Muani and Alajbegovic—a total of approximately 85 million euros between fixed fees and bonuses—Carnevali and Massara are now required to operate with great frugality. The strategy for upcoming moves focuses on trades, loans, and free transfers, making certain sales essential to meet Bologna’s demands. Help could come from the possible sale of Tarik Muharemovic: the Bosnian center back is being closely monitored by several English clubs, and Juventus is watching developments with particular attention, given that it is entitled to 50% of the proceeds from a future resale. Leeds United is reportedly ready to offer a sum close to 40 million euros.
