On Sunday, Il Resto del Carlino reported that Bologna’s Jhon Lucumi remains keen on a move to Sunderland and his entourage may seek legal aid for a transfer.
The outlet claimed that the defender could refer to FIFA’s Article 17, which allows a player to be released in exchange for compensation after three years from the signing of his contract.
This regulation can only be triggered if the contract was signed before the player turned 28 and the player has to have notified his club of an intention to release himself within fifteen days of his last match.
There is an offer on the table from the Premier League side and there was belief that Lucumi’s situation could turn legal.
Quotidiano Sportivo today issue a warning to Sunderland, if the Colombian goes down the Article 17 route.
This is because to exercise those rights, Lucumi would have had to notify Bologna of his release within 15 days of his last match. That match was the Bologna v Genoa Serie A clash on May 24th, but no such request was received by Bologna in the following fifteen days.
Demanding a transfer now will expose Lucumi to the risk of a heavy suspension and can also trigger a sanction against the club that he joins – Sunderland.
Lucumi also played for the Rossoblu at the weekend in the defeat to Roma. Exercising Article 17 now would mean that there be would very little time left for Regis Le Bris’ side to sign the 27-year-old before the transfer window slams shut.
In the meantime, Bologna remain keen on keeping the 27-year-old and have shown no desire to let him go.