‘It’s sheer madness’ – Jhon Lucumi’s move to Sunderland takes new twist as Bologna manager rages
Jhon Lucumi is still taking to the pitch for Bologna despite major speculation linking him with a move to Sunderland before the transfer window shuts.
Sunderland are widely reported to have submitted an official bid for Lucumi, 27, as Regis Le Bris continues looking to bring his squad up to Premier League standards.
Dan Ballard’s injury in the defeat to Burnley on Saturday only exacerbates the need for defensive reinforcements with just eight days left before the summer transfer window closes on 1 September.
Despite claims that Lucumi wants to join the Black Cats and have a stab at life in the Premier League, Bologna are digging in their heels and even started the Colombian in their Serie A opener against Roma on Saturday.
Unfortunately for Bologna and Lucumi, that decision seemed to backfire in spectacular fashion.
Vincenzo Italiano rages after Jhon Lucumi makes fatal error
Enzo Le Fee’s former club Roma won 1-0 against Bologna at the Stadio Olimpico, with Lucumi at fault for the match-winning goal by Wesley.
Lucumi, who’s been linked with Sunderland for over a month now, essentially passed the ball to Roma’s Brazilian wing-back inside his own box, gifting him a goal.
- You can watch Lucumi’s mistake by hitting play on the video below. Keep scrolling to read his manager’s reaction.
Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano was reeling after the game.
While he didn’t name Lucumi, it’s clear that the ex-Fiorentina boss wasn’t happy that his defender was being linked with a move to the Stadium of Light while also having to play competitive Serie A games.
“I think it’s sheer madness that the transfer market is open when Serie A matches are already on,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia after his side’s defeat in Rome.
“There are players who in the morning of games are on the phone to their agents trying to leave, others who don’t want to come to training, it’s not possible. The market should be closed before the competitive matches begin.
“There are months and months for clubs to get teams sorted out and it ought to be done by now. Instead, teams will lose points because they have players who are not concentrated.”
Bologna’s reaction to £24m+ Sunderland bid explained
According to Sunderland Echo journalist James Copley, Lucumi’s involvement against Roma suggests that a deal taking him to Wearside isn’t close.
Italian reporter Cristiano Abbruzzese claims that Sunderland continue to “attack” a deal for the former Genk centre-back and have tabled a bid worth over £24million.
| Total per game | Serie A rank | |
| Passes | 76.1 | 1 |
| Tackles | 1.9 | 8 |
| Interceptions | 0.7 | 56 |
| Clearances | 2.3 | 59 |
| Shots blocked | 0.6 | 39 |
| Aerial duels won | 1.2 | 59 |
However, Bologna are holding firm and are not going to roll over and let one of their star players – despite his shocker against Roma – leave this summer.
They want him to be a star player in their Europa League campaign and having already added to their defence this summer, they’re not keen to dismantle Italiano’s backline.
Lucumi is deemed as an “unsellable” asset, despite his desire to move to the Black Cats are part of Le Bris’ major rebuild since winning the Championship play-offs last season.
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