Sunderland Face Tottenham Battle For €20m-Rated Serie A Centre-Back: What Should The Black Cats Do? | OneFootball

Sunderland have monitored Jhon Lucumi’s situation closely, with the Colombian centre-back repeatedly linked with a move to Wearside over the past year. According to a report by SportWitness, the Black Cats now face serious competition from Tottenham Hotspur, who have entered the running for the defender ahead of the summer window.

Sunderland face stiff Tottenham competition for Bologna defender

Lucumi’s contract with Bologna runs until the end of the 2026/27 season, and the Serie A club’s attempts to extend his deal have proved very complex. Bologna’s failure to secure a renewal makes his departure this summer near certain. AC Milan and Juventus have both missed out on Champions League qualification, placing them out of contention, while other Italian clubs face similar constraints, pointing strongly towards a Premier League destination for the defender.

Sunderland’s persistent pursuit

Sunderland submitted an opening bid worth around £25m last summer, with the club reportedly agreeing personal terms with Lucumi on a contract through 2030. Bologna held firm and refused to sell. Bologna subsequently tabled a new long-term offer through 2029, including a significant pay rise, yet no agreement followed, leaving Lucumi’s future entirely unresolved.

The defender has since spoken openly about considering his options carefully before committing to any decision. Recent reports from April 2026 suggest Lucumi is available for approximately €25m, with a figure around €20m now considered realistic given his reduced contract length.

What must Sunderland and Regis Le Bris do?

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – MARCH 26: Jhon Lucumí of Colombia looks on during the international friendly match between Colombia and Croatia an international at Camping World Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

This transfer decision carries real significance for Sunderland and their manager, Regis Le Bris. Lucumi is a composed, ball-playing defender who ranked in the 96th percentile for ball recoveries among Serie A centre-backs last season, and that profile makes him ideal for Le Bris’s progressive style precisely. Tottenham possess far greater financial firepower and European football as a selling point, so Sunderland cannot afford to move slowly or make another incremental offer that Bologna simply wave away.

Le Bris must act boldly and early, tabling a clean bid around €20m before the market heats up further and Spurs firm up their interest with a concrete proposal. Beyond the fee, the key lies in Lucumi himself. The 28-year-old has stated he will decide based on what is best for him and his family, not sentiment.

Sunderland must therefore build a compelling sporting case, showing Lucumi a clear squad identity and genuine Premier League ambition rather than simply matching wages. It may well prove more persuasive than Tottenham’s badge alone.