On Monday, it emerged Sunderland have made an offer for Bologna’s Jhon Lucumi.
Similar was being covered by the local Bologna press over the past few weeks as the defender’s release clause of €28m expired in the middle of July.
Today’s Il Resto del Carlino report Sunderland’s offer has ruined Bologna’s ‘peace of mind’ and it’s happened just days before the start of the Serie A season.
The Black Cats have put forward exactly €28m, the amount of the previous clause, and the player has made it clear he is interested in a transfer.
Bologna are still resisting and have rejected the offer. They have already lost Sam Beukema to Napoli and do not want to lose another established centre-back this summer, especially after they lost 4-2 to OFI Crete in a pre-season friendly at the weekend.
They have signed Martin Vitik and Torbjørn Heggem, but they do not want to rely on new signings early in the new season. Lucumi’s stance on the rejection is unknown and there is a possibility that he could yet push for a move to Sunderland.
The next few hours will be key, as the newly promoted Premier League side could make a renewed approach for the 27-year-old Colombian.