​Juventus’ pursuit of two centre-backs is becoming increasingly crowded, with Sunderland and Inter both entering the race for Jhon Lucumí and Tarik Muharemovic. The Bianconeri have long been pursuing deals for Bologna’s Lucumí, who carries a €28 million release clause valid until mid-July, and Sassuolo’s Muharemovic, a player Juventus already owns a 50% sell-on on. The ongoing transfer interest from other European heavyweights adds a new layer of complexity to Juventus’ defensive planning.
In a World Cup context, Jhon Lucumí has been in the spotlight since helping Colombia progress, as evidenced by his ongoing club duties and his status as a standout asset for future transfer negotiations. The release clause attached to Lucumí’s contract remains a key talking point for Juventus, who need to weigh the cost against the quality the Colombian could bring to their backline. Meanwhile, Muharemovic sits in the wings as a player with a significant upside and a pre-existing sell-on arrangement that could influence Juventus’ strategic decisions in the coming windows.
Sunderland, returning to European competition after a long hiatus by finishing seventh in the Premier League, is said to possess a budget north of €100 million. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Black Cats could comfortably meet Lucumí’s €28 million release clause and Sassuolo’s €40 million asking price for Muharemovic. Additionally, Sunderland would be able to cover the required wages, including the €3-4 million per year that previously stalled talks with Juventus. At present, Muharemovic is Sunderland’s priority, with Lucumí viewed as an alternative option if negotiations with Muharemovic stall or fail to materialize.
Inter have also joined the fray, seeking defensive reinforcement after recent personnel changes, including the departures of Acerbi, De Vrij, and Darmian. Tuttosport reports that Inter have initiated a move for Lucumí, while Muharemovic remains a long-standing target for the Nerazzurri. This development intensifies the competition for Juventus’ desired centre-backs and could shape the strategic use of the club’s assets and bargaining power in the near term.
From Juventus’ perspective, the situation could still work in their favor. If Sunderland were to secure Muharemovic first, Giovanni Carnevali could receive around €20 million in a sell-on from the Bosnian defender’s transfer, enabling him to reinvest those funds into Lucumí. On the other hand, should Sunderland pivot and pursue Lucumí instead, Juventus could be left with a clearer path to signing Muharemovic, unimpeded by a rival closing in on Lucumí. The evolving market dynamics mean Juventus must stay flexible, ready to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape as multiple clubs chase two promising centre-backs.