Juventus Closing in on Jhon Lucumi Transfer

Juventus are edging towards the signing of Jhon Lucumi from Bologna, with the defender having given a clear yes to the move and an agreement in principle already in place on personal terms.

The Colombian has treated Juventus as his first choice throughout the summer. While Chelsea and Manchester United tested the waters and Nottingham Forest put far more money on the table, Lucumi kept his eyes on Turin. For him, it was Juventus or nothing of that level.

He has agreed to a five-year deal worth around €2.5 million per season plus bonuses, turning down an offer from Forest that would reportedly have paid him roughly €1 million net more each year. In a market where players often chase the biggest contract, Lucumi has gone the other way. The badge, the stage, and the sporting project have won.

For Juventus, it is a significant coup. They are not just signing a centre-back; they are adding a defender already hardened in Serie A and tested on the international stage. Lucumi brings presence, timing, and a calmness that has seen his reputation soar over the past year.

His stock truly spiked at the recent World Cup. In a tense group game, he kept Cristiano Ronaldo unusually subdued, a performance that did not go unnoticed in Italy. Luciano Spalletti, watching closely, quickly pushed Lucumi towards the top of his defensive wishlist for the new campaign. From that moment, Juventus’ interest stopped being casual and became a clear objective.

Bologna knew what they had. They initially protected Lucumi with a €28 million release clause, which ran out in mid-July. Since then, their stance has shifted to a valuation of at least €25 million. The problem for them is time. The defender is heading into the final ten months of his contract, and every week that passes chips away at their leverage.

That tension now defines the negotiation. Bologna cannot realistically demand a fee at the very top end without staring at the risk of losing him for nothing next summer. Juventus, sensing that pressure, have already tested the waters. Their opening bid of €17 million was swiftly rejected by the Rossoblu, a clear message that they will not fold easily.

So Juventus are preparing a new offer. The next proposal is expected to come with a higher fixed fee and a creative twist: Juan Cabal could be included as part of the package. Using the Colombian compatriot as a makeweight would help bridge the gap between Bologna’s demands and Juventus’ budget, while giving Bologna a ready-made defensive option in return.

With the player fully committed to the move and publicly untempted by richer offers elsewhere, the dynamic now rests almost entirely between the two clubs. Bologna are trying to squeeze maximum value from a dwindling contract, Juventus are pushing to close a deal without overpaying for a player they know they can target again in a few months on much better terms.

The feeling in Turin is one of quiet confidence. The agreement with Lucumi is in place, the project has convinced him, and the clock on his contract keeps ticking. At this point, the only real question is not whether he will wear black and white – but how much Juventus will end up paying to make it happen now rather than waiting for next summer.