Juventus Nearing Deal for Jhon Lucumi as Colombian Chooses Ambition

Juventus are closing on their next defensive pillar, and this time the pull of Turin has beaten the Premier League’s money.

Jhon Lucumi has reached an agreement in principle with Juventus over a summer move from Bologna, opting for the Bianconeri after placing them at the very top of his wishlist. The Colombian has treated the courtship from Chelsea and Manchester United as background noise, keeping his focus fixed on a step up within Serie A rather than a leap into England.

For Juventus, it is a significant win. They are not just buying a centre-back; they are targeting a defender already hardened by Italian football and seasoned on the international stage. Lucumi brings proven Serie A know-how and the authority of a player whose reputation has surged on the biggest platform.

The turning point came not on a balance sheet, but in a dressing room conversation about ambition. Nottingham Forest were ready to offer him around €1 million more net per year. He walked away from that. Instead, the 26-year-old has accepted a five-year deal in Turin worth €2.5 million per season plus bonuses, convinced by the club’s insistence and the scale of the sporting project on the table.

For Lucumi, the equation was clear. A bigger club. European football. The chance to stay in Italy, in a league he knows and a context where his profile has exploded. The extra money in England could wait; the timing of this move, and the stage Juventus can provide, could not.

His rise gathered real speed at the recent World Cup. Lucumi delivered commanding displays at the heart of Colombia’s defence, none more eye-catching than his performance in a crucial group-stage clash in which he effectively shut down Cristiano Ronaldo. That night, his positioning, composure and physical presence did not just keep one of the game’s great forwards quiet; it pushed his name to the top of elite scouting lists.

One of the first to take note was Luciano Spalletti. The Juventus head coach quickly marked Lucumi as a priority signing to reshape and reinforce his back line ahead of the new campaign. With the squad in need of fresh energy and reliability at the back, the Colombian’s profile fit perfectly: left-footed, aggressive, calm under pressure, already adapted to the rhythm and tactics of Serie A.

Now the real work moves from the player’s camp to the boardrooms.

Bologna had initially shielded their asset with a €28 million release clause, which expired in mid-July. That safety net is gone. They now value Lucumi at a minimum of €25 million, but the clock is ticking loudly. With only ten months left on his contract, Bologna must strike a delicate balance: hold firm on their valuation, or risk seeing a key defender walk away for nothing next summer.

Juventus have tested that resolve once and been pushed back. Their opening €17 million bid was swiftly rejected by the Rossoblu, a clear statement that Bologna will not be bullied into a cut-price sale despite the contractual pressure.

The next offer will be different. To close the gap, Juventus are considering adding Juan Cabal as a partial makeweight, using Lucumi’s compatriot to sweeten the deal and reduce the cash outlay. It is the kind of proposal that can unlock a stalemate: a significant fee, a ready-made replacement, and a solution that lets Bologna save face while cashing in.

In Turin, there is quiet confidence. The player is already on board, the contract terms are understood, and the sporting argument has been won. The final hurdle lies in numbers, not intentions.

Now it comes down to how far Bologna are prepared to push their luck with the market watching, and how much Juventus are willing to pay for a defender they clearly see as central to their next defensive era.