Juventus has opened preliminary contact for Jhon Janer Lucumí while the Bologna defender prepares for Colombia's World Cup matches. Italian reports say the club has started asking about his situation, making the move one of the first clear transfer developments to emerge during the tournament buildup.
That matters because Lucumí, 27, is not a fringe name being floated for depth. He is a central defender with a contract running to mid-2027 and a release clause close to 28 million euros, a price that immediately sets a high bar for any negotiation. The reported interest also comes as he gets ready to face Uzbekistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Portugal, giving Juventus and other clubs a live stage to judge him.
Before the World Cup, Lucumí had already become one of Bologna's key players, and the timing of the reports suggests the tournament could lift his profile further. Juventus is said to want experience and renewal in defense, which helps explain why the club has moved beyond casual watching and into direct inquiries. Other market reports have also linked him with Bournemouth, Sunderland and Tottenham, while Roma have tracked him in Italy and Atlético de Madrid has been mentioned previously.
The obstacle is obvious. A long contract and a release clause near 28 million euros make Lucumí expensive, but the interest has not stopped Juventus from trying to test whether Bologna will talk. The club has not been reported to have made a formal bid, and there is no sign yet that Bologna is ready to move below that clause value, which leaves the next step hanging on whether the first inquiry turns into an actual offer.
For now, Lucumí enters the World Cup as both a Colombia defender and a transfer target, with each match likely to be watched well beyond the tournament itself.
