Al-Hilal ‘to rival’ Sunderland and Forest for Serie A defender as Balogun option emerges | OneFootball

Sunderland and Nottingham Forest could face competition from Saudi club Al-Hilal for a Serie A defender, while an update has emerged on Folarin Balogun’s future.

The Black Cats have made one signing so far, Belgium international Thomas Meunier on a two-year deal after leaving Lille. He joins a squad under Regis Le Bris that qualified for the Europa League for the first time in the club’s history.

Le Bris has reiterated the need for further additions but said this summer feels different. He noted Sunderland recruited 14 players last year and expects around six or seven now, adding the market is slow and it is better to wait than rush.

Il Resto del Carlino reports that Sunderland and Forest are among the clubs tracking Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi, with Inter and Juventus also interested as he enters the final 12 months of his deal. The outlet claims Juve proposed youngster Vasilije Adzic to reduce the fee, but Bologna would not lower their demands. Il Resto del Carlino adds that Lucumi will prioritise talks to stay in Italy, and that Al-Hilal are keen.

Monaco striker Balogun drew global headlines at the World Cup when US president Donald Trump appeared to intervene as a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina was overturned. After a last-16 exit to Belgium, Juventus interest has been mooted, and El Mundo Deportivo says Sunderland and Borussia Dortmund are also attractive options. The 25-year-old has two years left on his Monaco contract and is valued at over £50m.

Source: Sunderland Echo