The latest transfer talk from Sunderland as Serie A giants Juventus make a move for a reported Black Cats target.
Sunderland are closing in on securing their first summer signing after Belgium star Thomas Meunier arrived on Wearside to undergo a medical as the Black Cats look set to boost their defensive ranks.
However, reports in Italy have suggested Sunderland will face competition from Serie A giants should they progress with their interest in Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi. Initial links with the Colombia international arose 12 months ago as Regis Le Bris’ side prepared to return to the Premier League before the Black Cats switched their attention towards what would become a successful move for Getafe star Omar Alderete.
Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi challenges Juventus star Jonathan David.placeholder image
Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi challenges Juventus star Jonathan David. | Marco BERTORELLO / AFP via Getty Images
However, speculation suggesting Lucumi is still on Sunderland’s list of targets has never been far from the headlines in recent months and there have been some suggestions they could make another move for the 28-year-old as he enters the final 12 months of his current contract with the Serie A club. The former Genk defender made 43 appearances in all competitions for Bologna last season and he produced some eye-catching performances as he appeared in all of Colombia’s five fixtures at the World Cup finals as they progressed into the round-of-16 before falling to a penalty shoot-out defeat against Granit Xhaka’s Switzerland.
Lucumi will now return to his club to prepare for the new Serie A season with Bologna - but reports in Italy have stated he has a €28m release clause in his current contract and that means there is interest from elsewhere. Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth have been linked with the centre-back - but TuttoMercatoWeb journalist Marco Conterio has claimed Juventus remain keen on Lucumi and could be willing to offer one of their promising young talents in part-exchange in a bid to persuade Bologna to accept a lower fee.
He posted on X: “Juventus remains pressing for Jhon Lucumi from Bologna. After the no from the Emilian club to Fabio Miretti, the key to unlocking the deal could be Vasilije Adzic to lower the 28 million euro clause.”
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