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

Sunderland and Nottingham Forest could face competition from Al-Hilal for Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi, with Inter and Juventus also linked as he enters the final year of his deal. Il Resto del Carlino reports that the Colombia international will prioritise talks to stay in Italy, and that the Saudi Pro League side are interested.

Juventus are said to have tried to reduce Bologna’s price by including youngster Vasilije Adzic in a part-exchange, but the Serie A club have refused to lower their demands.

Sunderland have made one addition so far, Belgium international Thomas Meunier on a two-year contract after leaving Lille, as Regis Le Bris prepares for a first ever Europa League campaign.

After Saturday’s win at York, Le Bris said this summer feels more targeted, with around six or seven arrivals in mind. He noted the market is slow and stressed it is better to wait for the right deals than rush.

Meanwhile, El Mundo Deportivo claims Sunderland and Borussia Dortmund are also options for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, after Juventus were linked. The 25-year-old, who became a World Cup talking point when US president Donald Trump appeared to intervene over a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, has two years left on his contract and is valued at more than £50m.

Source: Sunderland Echo