Juventus are pursuing a twin-track defensive recruitment strategy this summer, with Giovanni Carnevali weighing a move for former Sassuolo defender Tarik Muharemovic alongside the club’s primary target Jhon Lucumi, and holding a significant structural advantage in the Muharemovic pursuit that could make it the more financially attractive of the two operations.
Juventus retain 50% of any future Muharemovic sale from their time developing the Bosnian at the Next Gen side, a clause that forced Sassuolo to inflate their asking price when Inter explored a deal earlier this summer, ultimately complicating those negotiations.
Carnevali now intends to exploit that leverage, with Sportal reporting the Bianconeri could secure Muharemovic at a reduced cost by effectively purchasing back a share of a player they already part-own.
Bologna demand €25m for Lucumi as Juventus race against mid-July release clause deadline
The Lucumi situation carries its own urgency as Bologna are asking €25 million for the Colombian centre-back, as per CalcioMercato.it, having rejected Juventus’s opening offer of €18-20 million.
Crucially, a release clause of €28 million is only valid until mid-July, after which Premier League clubs could enter the auction and drive the price significantly higher.
Spalletti first identified Lucumi as a defensive priority in January, and Juventus are keen to avoid a repeat of that window’s complications.
Muharemovic, meanwhile, is representing Bosnia at the World Cup, having missed the Qatar game through suspension after his red card against Switzerland.
