Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Mon 18 August 2025 12:30, UK

Sunderland have submitted an official bid for Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi.

Omar Alderete completed his move to Sunderland last week, with the defender signing in a deal worth around £10million.

And Regis Le Bris has been boosted by the terrific form of Dan Ballard, who was superb in the Premier League opener against West Ham.

But Sunderland are looking for another centre-back, and Bologna’s signing of Torbjorn Heggem could now open the door to Lucumi’s departure.

Jhon Lucumi keen on joining Sunderland

Lucumi has been at Bologna since the summer of 2022, when he joined from Belgian side Genk for around £7m.

And in the Serie A, the Colombia international has become key, appearing in 94 games in the three seasons since his arrival.

The 27-year-old could now be the latest big-money player to leave Bologna, who have become renowned for producing top-level talent in recent years.

Especially in defence have the Italian club excelled, selling Riccardo Calafiori to Arsenal last summer, as well as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Aaron Hickey in previous windows.

But the sale of Lucumi would be slightly different in the fact that the defender is 27, and viewed as a ready-made player, rather than a promising young talent.

Fabrizio Romano reported on 18 August that Sunderland have submitted an official bid for the Colombian, who is keen on joining the Premier League and the Black Cats.

Lucumi reportedly has a release clause worth around £24m in his contract, but that number has now expired and Bologna intend on keeping the defender.

Jhon Lucumi would offer experienced presence for Sunderland

Lucumi offers plenty of strengths, but really excels on the ball. The defender completes 91.1% of his passes according to FBref, and attempts more than 70 every 90 minutes.

Many of those passes are progressive, as are some of the 27-year-old’s carries, which he uses to drive the ball forward into the opposition half.

And Lucumi is strong defensively too, completing almost six ball recoveries every 90 minutes.

The Colombia international would provide both quality and experience to the Sunderland backline, and could well offer Regis Le Bris a selection headache.

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