According to writer Pipe Sierra, Sunderland’s move for Bologna’s Jhon Lucumi has been put on hold.
No reason was given, but the Italian press is now skeptical of a transfer, despite the fact that the Black Cats made a large bid for the defender.
Gianluca Pagliuca, Bologna’s great ex-goalkeeper, has now offered some optimism to Sunderland. He spoke with Quotidiano Sportivo on Bologna’s transfer dealings and was asked about their sales, after the club had already lost Dan Ndoye and Sam Beukema.
He stated, alluding to Lucumi’s situation: “For two years, Beukema was the leader of the defence, the man who set the tempo for the entire department.
But in another area of the pitch, I might say the same thing about Ndoye, who grew tremendously under Italiano last season.” Speaking specifically about the defender, Pagliuca stated: “But that’s exactly how things are.
What would you do if Sunderland came up now and offered €30 million for Lucumi? You aren’t selling him? So far, the Wearside club has only offered €25 million, after having their proposal rejected last month.
Bologna’s asking price was set at €28 million, and no possible buyers met that figure. Lucumi’s contract with the Rossoblu lasts until the summer of 2027.
So far, the 27-year-old has rejected a contract extension with Bologna, and his representative has been to Spain to explore offers from La Liga clubs. That effort yielded no results.
Everything depends on how much Bologna is willing to pay, but as Pagliuca points out, €30 million should be enough to complete the deal for Regis Le Bris’ side.
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