On Tuesday, Il Resto del Carlino reported Bologna are feeling the pressure with regards to Jhon Lucumi amidst talk of the player and his entourage seeking legal help related to FIFA’s Article 17.
This threat was causing them to look around for replacements, with Sunderland’s offer for the defender already on the table.
Today’s Corriere dello Sport reports the Black Cats are now facing a race against time. The newspaper claim that as days pass, Lucumi edges closer to staying at Bologna. A transfer to Sunderland is now proving to be pretty complex.
The Italian club are working ‘through dialogue’ to sort out the messy situation and have listened to demands from the Colombian. They have also reiterated that they also have needs to meet and this was communicated to Lucumi’s agent this week in a meeting at Bologna’s headquarters.
Vincenzo Italiano’s side are not putting the 27-year-old under any pressure to make a decision either, even if Sunderland’s offer remains on the table.
The newspaper believe that Regis Le Bris’ side have been a bit late in making a formal approach and with just a week to go, they can miss out on the South American.