Sunderland ready £21m bid to sign ‘the next Koulibaly’ – Exclusive
Sunderland are in the market for at least one new centre back before their season gets underway.
Sunderland’s pre-season schedule is already well underway, with Regis Le Bris’ side set to face Sevilla on Saturday (19 July) in their first of several friendlies in Portugal.
The Black Cats will be joined by all six of their summer arrivals and will undoubtedly be looking to add more before they return home.
With that in mind, Le Bris is intent on signing a new defender to add to his squad, with a move for a player who has been compared to Kalidou Koulibaly on the cards.
Jhon Lucumi emerges as a Sunderland target
It was reported in June that Sunderland were prepared to spend big to land a new central defender, with Bologna’s Jhon Lucumi the latest to be linked.
A report from Tutto Napoli (16 July) claimed that the Wearsiders are preparing a bid in the region of £21million for the Colombian defender, and Italian journalist Lorenzo Bettoni believes that would be a fair price.
Speaking exclusively to Mackem News, he said: “Lucumi has been a very consistent defender in Serie A, especially over the last two seasons, helping Bologna qualify for the UEFA Champions League in 2023/24 and win the Coppa Italia last season.
| Club | Apps |
| KRC Genk | 137 |
| Bologna | 109 |
| Deportivo Cali | 54 |
“He has played in the Champions League and has also been linked with some clubs playing consistently in it, so he’d be a very good signing for Sunderland.
“He’s probably similar to (Kalidou) Koulibaly (former Napoli and Chelsea player) for his physicality and style of play.
“He’s good inside the box, he’s certainly had more good than bad days over the last two seasons.”
Lucumi would be the ideal signing for Sunderland
Questions are still present as to whether Dan Ballard will be cut out for the Premier League, but the lack of options alongside him is the biggest concern.
Sunderland need a dominant left-sided defender, and Lucumi fits the bill perfectly, while also boasting a wealth of experience.
Should the Black Cats get this over the line, it would be yet another major coup.
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