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Transfer Not Dead Yet! Sunderland’s €20M Lucumí Bid Still Alive – Shock Twist as Bologna Hunt Replacement and Premier League Move Gains Ground
Sunderland’s pursuit of Bologna defender Jhon Lucumí has taken an intriguing twist, with new reports revealing that the initial €20 million offer remains on the table and could still be enough to seal the deal—despite previous suggestions that it had been rejected.
Earlier this week, Italian outlet Il Resto del Carlino reported that Lucumí’s agents were pushing hard for a Premier League switch, leading to expectations that Sunderland would need to come back with an improved bid. Bologna sporting director Giovanni Sartori was even spotted in Belgium scouting Union St. Gilloise centre-back Fedde Leysen as a possible replacement for the Colombian international.
Fresh details from today’s edition of the same publication now confirm that Bologna haven’t turned down Sunderland’s opening offer. In fact, Sartori’s trip signals that the Serie A club is already planning for life without Lucumí. The 27-year-old defender has yet to fully decide on a move to Wearside, but the fact that he’s seriously considering the offer is a notable development—especially given earlier reports that he preferred clubs playing European football.
That makes his interest in newly promoted Sunderland a surprising turn in the saga. The newspaper notes that “it’s not over yet,” implying a second offer may not even be necessary to push the deal through.
With Bologna eager to finalise a replacement and Lucumí open to the Premier League challenge under manager Regis Le Bris, Sunderland’s current bid may be enough to land the highly rated defender—despite rival interest and past doubts about his intentions.
If successful, this move would represent yet another major addition in Sunderland’s eye-catching summer recruitment campaign, as the club prepares for life back in the Premier League with bold ambition and serious investment.
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