Sunderland transfer target Jhon Lucumi
Sunderland transfer target Jhon Lucumi
Jhon Lucumi is increasingly likely to leave Bologna in the summer, and Sunderland are very interested in a transfer after failing to land him some months ago.
The defender was the talk of Bologna’s transfer marker last summer. The Black Cats made an offer to sign him right after his release clause expired. That timing was unfortunate for the Premier League club.
Lucumi was very keen – as covered bySport Witness in the past, but Bologna managed to keep hold of him. The Rossoblu were proud of their decision, even if the Colombian had refused a renewal beyond 2027.
Fast forward to now, and Lucumi is yet to commit to a new deal and is looking to depart in the summer.
Sunderland are still interested but the race has a new contender.
AS Roma in the hunt
ForzaRoma’sFrancesco Balzani reports that Lucumi will be a prize asset for the summer transfer window. The journalist is confident Bologna will not force him to stay and he will not sign a new deal.
Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has ‘long had a crush’ on the South American since his time at Atalanta. He also attempted to sign him last summer and now, a deal could be possible if Evan Ndicka leaves.
Roma could earn as much as €40m from the Ivorian’s exit and can use that money to sign Lucumi.
Their biggest obstacle is Sunderland, who remain interested. It is believed the Colombian has long loved the Italian capital and has expressed it often on social media. But a move to England can also appeal to him – as it did last summer.
The Premier League, and the added finances, should swing it.
Sunderland transfer competition heating up
Considering Lucumi’s contract runs out in 2027, there is no surprise that competition for him is heating up. In January, even Manchester City were mentioned as a suitor but it felt like a fleeting interest based on injuries.
While Sunderland have progressed this year, Lucumi may feel like he should be competing for silverware.
He did win the Coppa Italia last season with Bologna, also playing in Europe for two seasons now. That is ideally why he could prefer joining a major club that guarantees him playing at a higher level.
That said, he clearly fancied a transfer to Sunderland last summer and they’ve established themselves further since then.
🇩🇿 Sunderland | Anis Hadj Moussa and Yacine Titraoui
➡️ Premier League club looking at pair
💶 Offers could be on the wayhttps://t.co/QrjW8lP3Gd #safc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 11, 2026