Bologna ready to sell Jhon Lucumi to Sunderland on one condition after bid increased
Jhon Lucumi could be a Sunderland player by the 1 September transfer deadline.
Sunderland’s summer transfer business has raised eyebrows, though the lack of depth in the defensive areas is still something that needs to be addressed.
Dan Ballard’s injury sustained in the defeat to Burnley is set to rule him out for several weeks, increasing the need for a new centre-back arrival at the Stadium of Light.
Lucumi has been a target for Sunderland all summer, and as per the latest reports, the deal is edging ever so closer to completion.
Sunderland told what it will take to sign Jhon Lucumi
Granit Xhaka was told by Leverkusen he wouldn’t be allowed to leave, just days before he put pen to paper on a three-year deal at the Stadium of Light, and a similar situation could happen with Lucumi.
Via Quotidiano Sportivo on 28 August, it is claimed that Bologna have now opened the door for Lucumi to leave, but only on the condition that they can sign a replacement.
Sunderland have upped their offer for the Colombian in the last few days, with the latest surpassing the amount that was needed to trigger his release clause earlier in the window.
Bolgona have already signed Torbjorn Heggem as a left-footed centre-back, but it seems as though they still want one more to sanction Lucumi’s exit.
Lucumi has been offered a £2.5million yearly deal at Sunderland, and the latest reports suggest that it is looking like it could happen in the next few days.
Sunderland still need to add attacking depth
Lucumi’s arrival is needed, but as showcased by Sunderland’s defeat to Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup, attacking reinforcements are a must.
The Black Cats were toothless in front of goal, and that is the attack they will have to rely on when AFCON comes around, with Simon Adingra and Chemsdine Talbi both expected to leave for the competition.
It seems unlikely that it will be another centre-forward, but amid links connecting Sunderland with a move to sign Dilane Bakwa, a winger could arrive in the next few days.
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