Juventus Set to Sign Jhon Lucumi Over Chelsea and Manchester United

Juventus are edging towards the signing of Jhon Lucumi from Bologna, with the Colombian centre-back having reached an agreement in principle over a summer move to Turin.

The player has made his choice. Despite interest from Chelsea and Manchester United, Lucumi has consistently placed Juventus at the top of his list, keeping the Bianconeri in pole position while other clubs circled. For Juve, who are intent on rebuilding a defence with both Serie A know-how and international stature, his commitment represents a significant win before a fee has even been agreed.

What tilts the story from routine transfer business into something more revealing is the financial side. Nottingham Forest, ready to step in from the Premier League, were reportedly prepared to put around €1 million more net per season on the table. Lucumi walked away from that.

Instead, he has accepted a five-year contract proposal from Juventus worth around €2.5 million per season plus bonuses. The message is clear: the sporting project, the stage, and the shirt mattered more than the extra cash. The pull of a bigger club, the prospect of European nights, and the chance to stay in Italy have carried more weight than a fatter pay packet elsewhere. Juventus’ determination to secure him has not gone unnoticed by the player either and has been a key factor in his decision.

His rise has not come out of nowhere. Lucumi’s stock surged after a strong World Cup, where his commanding displays at the back drew widespread attention. One performance in particular stood out: a group-stage outing in which he effectively shut down Cristiano Ronaldo, a test of nerve and concentration that he passed with authority. Those games pushed him onto the radar of Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti, who quickly identified the Colombian as a priority target to reinforce his defensive unit ahead of the new campaign.

The agreement with the player, though, is only half the battle. The real work now sits between the two clubs.

Bologna had initially protected Lucumi with a €28 million release clause, a safeguard that expired in mid-July. Since then, their valuation has settled at a minimum of €25 million. They know his importance. They also know the clock is ticking. With Lucumi entering the final ten months of his contract, Bologna walk a tightrope: hold out for too much and they risk losing him for nothing next summer; accept too little and they surrender a key asset below market value.

Juventus have already tested that line and been pushed back. An opening bid of €17 million was swiftly rejected by the Rossoblu, who signalled they will not be strong-armed into a cut-price sale. Juve are now preparing a new offer designed to narrow the gap, aware that the player’s stance gives them leverage but not a free pass.

One possible solution sits on their own books. To bridge the difference in valuation, Juventus are considering including Juan Cabal as part of the deal, using the Colombian defender as a makeweight to tempt Bologna into agreement. It would reduce the cash outlay and offer Bologna a ready-made replacement from the same footballing school.

With Lucumi already aligned on personal terms and intent on wearing black and white, there is a quiet confidence in Turin that the deal will be completed. The final act rests on figures, clauses and compromise.

If Juventus find the right number, they won’t just be signing another defender. They’ll be landing a World Cup-tested centre-back who has already chosen their ambition over a bigger paycheque elsewhere.