Sunderland Receive A Big Boost Regarding Signing €25m Target: Should They Smash The Money This Summer?

Sunderland’s pursuit of Bologna’s Colombian centre-back Jhon Lucumi has been handed fresh momentum after Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, reported that the 27-year-old remains open to a Premier League switch and has yet to extend his contract in Emilia-Romagna.

The Black Cats pushed hard for Lucumi last summer, with the player himself warming to the idea of a move to the Stadium of Light. Bologna ultimately blocked the transfer, reluctant to offload another key defender after already sanctioning the sales of several star names. Sunderland could have bypassed negotiations entirely by triggering the defender’s €28 million release clause, but hesitation allowed Bologna to reassert control over valuation. With the clause now expired, the Serie A side are believed to be asking in the region of €25 million.

Crucially, Lucumi’s deal runs only until June 2027, and no renewal has been signed. Sources close to the player indicate he will wait until after the upcoming World Cup before mapping out his long-term future, a stance that leaves Bologna vulnerable to a well-timed bid.

On the pitch, the left-footed stopper has been a linchpin for Thiago Motta’s side this season, racking up more than 1,400 league minutes despite a brief hamstring lay-off in early 2026. His 93 per cent pass-completion rate has helped Bologna stabilise in mid-table, and his ability to build play from the back has made him one of Serie A’s most coveted defenders.

For Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland, currently 11th in the Premier League and having conceded 34 goals in 29 matches, Lucumi’s profile is exactly what the back line lacks. Partnering him with Omar Alderete would give the Wearsiders a balanced, ball-playing core capable of pushing for European qualification.

Timing is everything. A strong World Cup showing could ignite interest from heavyweights such as Manchester City or Manchester United, driving the price higher and shifting the power back toward the seller. By striking early in the summer window, Sunderland could secure a proven international defender, plug the league’s joint-eighth-worst defensive record, and signal serious intent ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

With Lucumi’s contractual clock ticking and no new Bologna deal on the horizon, the Black Cats have a rare opportunity to land a top-tier talent at a negotiable fee. The question now facing owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman is straightforward: smash the €25 million asking price and accelerate the club’s ascent, or risk losing him to bigger fish circling after the World Cup spotlight fades.