Sunderland handed Jhon Lucumi boost as Bologna ‘to line up’ replacement this summer | OneFootball

Sunderland have fresh encouragement over Jhon Lucumi, with Bologna reported to be identifying a replacement for the Colombia defender. Corriere dello Sport claims the Serie A side are already working on options ahead of the summer window.

Sunderland were heavily linked last year and were said to have tabled an offer ahead of their return to the Premier League. Bologna rejected it as they could not source a successor and said the conditions were not right to replace the 27-year-old.

“However, we don't decide the transfer window: the conditions aren't right for him to be replaced right now, so Jhon will stay with us.” said chairman Claudio Fenucci to Il Resto del Carlino.

The report suggests Bologna accept a summer split is likely and say it is pointless to hide it. It adds sporting director Giovanni Sartori is tracking Fluminense’s Juan Pablo Freytes and Union Saint-Gilloise’s Fedde Leysen.

Sunderland are the only club named as a potential destination. The report says Lucumi remains frustrated by last summer’s collapse and wants a dream move to the Premier League, and that the World Cup finals in North America this summer will draw intense attention.

Source: Sunderland Echo