Sunderland secure Premier League survival boost after Lucumi transfer update
Sunderland are in the market for new defenders ahead of the looming Premier League season.
The Black Cats have already spent over £100million this summer, but somehow, not a single penny has been spent on a defender.
Reinildo Mandava has arrived from Atletico Madrid, but the left-back joined the North East club on a free transfer.
One player the Wearsiders are keen to land is Bologna centre half Jhon Lucumi, and it appears they are finally getting closer to a deal.
Sunderland closing in on Lucumi deal
Sunderland already had an opening bid rejected for Lucumi, but that has not deterred them in their pursuit of the Colombian.
Regis Le Bris is short of numbers in the hub of his backline, having lost Chris Mepham at the end of the last campaign.
Furthermore, Luke O’Nien and Aji Alese are both out injured and will miss the start of the Premier League season.
While Dan Ballard is a solid option, he has a long history of injury problems, which will play on the Wearsiders’ minds.
However, the Black Cats are closing in on a £20million deal for Lucumi, according to the Daily Mirror in their print edition (26 July, pg 69).
| Jhon Lucumi’s 2024/25 Serie A statistics | Total |
| Appearances | 32 |
| Clean sheets | 10 |
| Tackles per game | 1.7 |
| Clearances | 2.6 |
| Total duels won | 3.9 (60%) |
| Dribbled past per game | 0.4 |
The publication reports that Bologna rejected Sunderland’s initial £17million bid for the Colombian international, who has been attracting interest from Aston Villa, AS Roma, and Juventus.
Lucumi made 32 appearances in Serie A last season and was dominant in a duel as he helped his side to keep 10 clean sheets.
Lucumi just what Le Bris needs for Premier League
Sunderland favourite O’Nien may have joked about not wanting his club to sign new centre backs, but they are exactly what the Black Cats need.
With a host of injuries across the defence, Le Bris is short on quality, and pre-season has exposed that.
Jenson Seelt has been a regular fixture in the heart of defence, but his impact at the Stadium of Light has been hampered due to injury.
Moreover, Ballard may have been exceptional at times in the Championship, but there is no guarantee the step up to the top flight will be smooth.
With that in mind, Sunderland need additions, and Lucumi is a player who has played at the highest level.
Furthermore, he is commanding in a duel and should add much-needed steel to Le Bris’ backline.
While a deal has yet to be agreed, it seems like the Black Cats are making significant moves to land Lucumi.
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