Sunderland handed boost as Bologna ‘to seek’ replacement for Jhon Lucumi | OneFootball

Sunderland’s pursuit of Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi has fresh impetus, with the Serie A club said to be lining up a successor. Corriere dello Sport reports that Bologna are already working to identify replacements for the Colombia international, potentially easing a summer exit.

The Black Cats were understood to have stepped up interest before their Premier League return, with suggestions an official bid went in during a highly successful summer window. Bologna rejected it, saying they could not source a replacement and that the conditions were not right.

"I've always said we'd prefer to keep everyone, even though we know that in reality, certain offers can be tough, especially if the Premier League comes knocking," he told Il Resto del Carlino.

"Jhon has already spent three years with us, which is a long time in today's football. He had the ambition to leave, but unfortunately, the timeframe for the offer didn't materialise. 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."

The same report said sporting director Giovanni Sartori is tracking Fluminense defender Juan Pablo Freytes and Union Saint-Gilloise’s Fedde Leysen as options.

Significantly, it also named Sunderland as the only suitor, said Lucumi remains irritated by last summer’s failed move and is keen on a dream switch to the Premier League. It added that his World Cup finals involvement in North America would bring "so much attention" that would "inevitably" lead to a move away from the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium.

Source: Sunderland Echo