Juventus Target Jhon Lucumí as Defender Rejects Premier League Offers

Juventus have moved to the front of the queue for Jhon Lucumí, reaching an agreement in principle with the Bologna centre-back despite firm interest from England.

The Colombian has given a clear signal. Even with Nottingham Forest on the table and exploratory talks from Chelsea and Manchester United in the background, he has kept Juventus at the top of his list. The pull of Turin has won out over the lure of the Premier League wage packet.

According to reports in Italy, Lucumí has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract worth €2.5 million per season plus bonuses. Forest were ready to go higher, with a package believed to be around €1 million more net per year. He turned towards prestige instead of pay.

For Lucumí, the calculation is simple: a bigger stage, European football, continuity in Serie A. Juventus offer all three. Forest, for all their ambition, do not.

Spalletti’s Priority Target

Inside Juventus, Luciano Spalletti has pushed hard. The coach identified Lucumí as a priority after the defender’s commanding World Cup performances, where he stood out with his aggression, timing and calmness under pressure. One game in particular resonated: his work in shutting down Cristiano Ronaldo. That kind of display sticks in a manager’s mind.

With the player’s side essentially done, the spotlight swings to Bologna’s stance.

Bologna Hold the Final Card

The deal now rests on one obstacle: Bologna’s valuation.

The Rossoblù set Lucumí’s price at a minimum of €25 million after his €28 million release clause expired in mid-July. That clause had given them a safety net; its expiry has shifted the balance. They still want a strong fee for their defensive leader, but time is no longer their ally.

Lucumí has just 10 months left on his contract. Bologna know what that means. Push too hard, and they risk watching a cornerstone of their back line walk away for nothing next summer. So negotiations with Juventus have begun with a clear tension: the need to cash in versus the desire not to be seen as easy sellers.

Juventus, buoyed by the player’s clear preference, can afford to be patient. Bologna, staring at the calendar, cannot.