Juventus are weighing a dual defensive recruitment strategy this summer as they pursue both Bologna’s Jhon Lucumi and former Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic. The Serie A giants face a narrowing window to secure their primary target, with a crucial contract clause set to expire within weeks.
Bologna have rejected the Bianconeri’s opening approach of between €18 million and €20 million for Colombian defender Lucumi, instead demanding €25 million for the centre-back. However, a release clause set at €28 million remains active only until mid-July, after which Premier League clubs could enter the bidding and potentially drive the price significantly higher.
The Muharemovic alternative
While negotiations continue for Lucumi, sporting director Giovanni Carnevali is simultaneously exploring a move for Muharemovic that could prove more financially efficient. Juventus retain a 50 per cent sell-on clause in the Bosnian defender from his development spell with the club’s Next Gen side.
This existing arrangement previously forced Sassuolo to inflate their asking price when Inter Milan explored a deal earlier this summer, ultimately stalling those negotiations. Juventus could now exploit this leverage to secure Muharemovic at a reduced cost, effectively buying back a share of a player they already co-own.
The 21-year-old is currently representing Bosnia at the World Cup, having missed the previous tournament in Qatar through suspension following a red card against Switzerland in qualifying.
Managerial priority and timeline pressure
Head coach Luciano Spalletti first identified Lucumi as a defensive priority in January, and the club is eager to avoid the complications that marked that window. The urgency is compounded by the looming expiry of the release clause, which protects the fee until mid-July but leaves Juventus vulnerable to competition from wealthier English clubs thereafter.
The Bianconeri must now decide whether to increase their bid for Lucumi to meet Bologna’s demands before the deadline, or prioritise the economically advantageous Muharemovic route. Both operations reflect Carnevali’s approach to reinforcing a defence that requires strengthening ahead of the new campaign.