The [Black Cats](http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/sunderland) made Lucumi their number one central-defensive target at the start of the summer, and have spent more than a month trying to engineer a deal for the Colombia international.
They made their latest move earlier this week when they tabled an improved offer for the 27-year-old, which is understood to have come close to matching the €26m sum that featured in a release clause within Lucumi’s contract that expired earlier this summer.
However, while Lucumi has indicated a desire to move to the Premier League and play for Sunderland, the Bologna hierarchy have always been reluctant to allow him to leave.
The sale of centre-half Sam Beukema to Napoli has strengthened Bologna’s determination to retain Lucumi, and the Italian club’s chief executive, Claudio Fenucci, has effectively ruled out a sale to Sunderland this month.
Speaking to the Italian media, Fenucci said: “Jhon has already spent three years with us, which is a long time in today’s football.
“He had the ambition to leave, but unfortunately, the timeframe for the offer didn’t materialise. Otherwise, we could have done something with him and, at that point, kept Sam.
“However, we don’t decide the transfer window – the conditions aren’t right for him to be replaced right now, so Jhon will stay with us.”
Speaking yesterday, Regis Le Bris suggested that if Sunderland cannot secure their top target this month, they will opt to keep their powder dry rather than pursuing alternative options at centre-half.
The Black Cats have signed Omar Aldarete and Nordi Mukiele this summer, and also boast Dan Ballard, Jenson Seelt, Luke O’Nien and Aji Alese as central-defensive options.
Le Bris said: "We still want to reinforce the squad if it makes sense for the balance. It's still possible in the backline if we find the right player at the right level and with the right mindset.
"We still have one option, maybe. But if it's not the case we'll stay with what we've got."