Jhon Lucumí did not need a World Cup appearance to convince Juventus he was the right man to rebuild their defence around. But his composed, commanding performance for Colombia against Uzbekistan has done no harm at all — and contacts between the bianconeri and Bologna have been renewed with fresh urgency.
According to Tuttosport, Lucumí appeals to Spalletti not just technically but characteristically. The manager was both irritated and quietly delighted during Juventus’s Serie A meeting with Bologna earlier this season, when the Colombian centre-back openly goaded Samu Conceiçao — gesturing emphatically for the Portuguese winger to come and try to beat him. In a Bologna side going through the motions of a season already written off, Lucumí was still looking for a fight. That, for Spalletti, is exactly the kind of personality he wants in his dressing room.
Why Lucumí Solves a Long-Standing Problem
The technical case is equally compelling. Juventus have been without a reliable left-footed ball-playing centre-back for years. Lloyd Kelly has tried to fill that role this season but continues to fall short defensively. Lucumí — left-footed, quick to initiate attacks, excellent at covering space, and a genuine leader — addresses that gap directly.
His arrival could also have a knock-on effect further up the pitch. With Lucumí partnering Kalulu at the heart of defence, Kelly could move to the left flank in place of Cambiaso — though Spalletti’s preference is ultimately to find a specialist left-back with stronger defensive qualities, someone who can provide proper cover for Kenan Yildiz and reduce the burden on the young Turkish forward to track back.
The financial picture is clear: Lucumí has a release clause of €28 million that runs until the middle of July. Contacts between Juventus and Bologna are focused on the possibility of structuring that payment in instalments — a realistic conversation given the clubs’ existing relationship, which most recently produced the Holm-Joao Mário swap. Crucially, Juventus’s decision not to exercise the buy option on Erik Holm — saving €18 million — means those funds are now available to be redirected towards the Lucumí operation.
The Competition: Roma and the Premier League Are Watching
Juventus would be wise to move decisively. Roma have registered concrete interest in Lucumí, and a clutch of mid-table Premier League clubs — for whom a €28 million release clause presents no particular financial challenge — are also paying close attention. Compared to many of the other centre-back names in circulation, Lucumí is genuinely accessible: Kim Min-jae, for example, earns over €10 million net per year and Bayern Munich are in no mood to negotiate at a discount; Drăgușin is available from Tottenham at a similar price but carries question marks over his experience at the highest level.
Three Are Leaving — The Defence Needs Rebuilding From Scratch
The scale of the defensive reconstruction required at Juventus this summer becomes clear when the departures are set out. Gleison Bremer has asked the club to sanction his sale, and with a release clause of €58 million active until 10 August, he is hoping that a strong World Cup under Carlo Ancelotti generates the offers needed. Federico Gatti could yet link up with Massimiliano Allegri at Napoli, or pursue an adventure abroad — Crystal Palace are among those monitoring his situation. And Lloyd Kelly, whose reputation has been substantially restored during his time in Turin after a difficult spell at Newcastle, could return to the Premier League.
With three centre-backs potentially departing and the defensive unit in need of a fundamental rebuild, Lucumí is not merely an option — he is a priority. The release clause expires in mid-July. The World Cup is under way. Juventus have the funds available, the relationship with Bologna to facilitate a deal, and a manager who already admires the player deeply. The only question is whether they move quickly enough.
