The middle of August is fast approaching, and that means the final weeks of the summer mercato are nearly upon us. For Juventus, that means trying to add the final pieces to a roster that will hopefully do more than a sixth-place finish — and with a always-shrinking time frame to try and get the business done.
One of the biggest names very much linked to the club right now is Bologna center back Jhon Lucumí, a player who has been very much been at the forefront of any potential defensive upgrades all summer.
Juventus and Lucumí have agreed to personal terms on a contract if he were to move to Turin this summer, according to a report from Tuttosport on Friday. It is a five-year deal worth €2.5 million and another €1 million in potential bonuses — which would be a substantial boost in pay from what he currently makes at Bologna. It is a piece of news — albeit a somewhat minor one considering some other players that Juve have reportedly agreed to personal terms with already this summer — that comes at a time in which multiple outlets have said that Lucumí is currently holding out for a move to the Allianz Stadium and has turned down much more lucrative offers in hopes that a move to the Bianconeri finally materializes.
Bologna are still reportedly looking to get as much as €25 million for Lucumí after his €28 million buyout clause expired in mid-July.
Who are those clubs that Lucumí has reportedly told to essentially kick rocks in hopes of moving to Juventus? Namely Galatasaray and Besitkas — which is notable considering that his former manager at Bologna, Vincenzo Italiano, is now coaching with the latter of those two Turkish clubs mentioned. Lucumí has also been linked with Inter and a handful of Premier League clubs, but all of that has petered out over the last couple of weeks.
Why? Because Juventus look to be the only club that he wholeheartedly wants to move to this summer.
But it’s hard to say if it will happen soon, though. Juventus are likely in a situation where they need to sell somebody — Federico Gatti? Lloyd Kelly? Juan Cabal? Somebody else? — before they are able to sign another defender. That means Lucumí is essentially playing a waiting game for something to happen.
He wants Juventus. Juventus want him. When it actually happens, though … nobody really knows.
