Sunderland and Forest ‘to face’ Al Hilal for Serie A defender, Balogun latest | OneFootball

Sunderland and Nottingham Forest could face Al Hilal competition for Bologna defender Jhon Lucumi, while a new line has emerged on Folarin Balogun’s future.

Sunderland have made only one signing so far, Belgium international Thomas Meunier on a two-year deal after leaving Lille. Europa League for the first time in their history awaits.

After the win at York, head coach Regis Le Bris said this summer feels different, noting last year brought 14 arrivals and this time he expects probably six or seven. He described the market as slow and said it was better to wait for the right decisions than rush.

Sunderland and Forest are among the clubs linked with Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi, who is into the final 12 months of his contract alongside Inter and Juventus. Il Resto del Carlino reports that Juventus tried to include Vasilije Adzic to lower the fee, Bologna resisted, and that Lucumi will prioritise talks to remain in Italy, while Al Hilal are also interested.

Monaco striker Folarin Balogun drew headlines at the World Cup when US president Donald Trump appeared to involve himself in an overturned red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina. With the USA out after a last-16 defeat by Belgium, El Mundo Deportivo claims Sunderland and Borussia Dortmund are seen as very interesting options, with Juventus also linked. Balogun, 25, is said to be valued at over £50m by Monaco.

Source: Sunderland Echo