'Preparing official bid' - Fabrizio Romano confirms Sunderland interest in £24m reported Wolves target
The latest transfer news as Fabrizio Romano provides a major update on a Sunderland and Wolves target.
Sunderland are reportedly in talks to sign Bologna centre-back and reported Wolverhampton Wanderers target Jhon Lucumi.
The Black Cats have been in fine form at the start of the transfer window, spending over £90 million to lure Habib Diarra, Simon Adingra, Enzo Le Fee, Chemsdine Talbi, Noah Sadiki and Reinildo Mandava to the Stadium of Light on permanent deals.
Centre-back is the next priority position for Sunderland as they seek to strengthen as many areas as possible upon their return to the Premier League and Lucumi, who has been linked with Wolves in recent weeks, has emerged as a top target.
Sunderland swoop for £24m Wolves transfer target
Transfer news specialist Fabrizio Romano reports Sunderland are ‘preparing an opening official bid’ for Lucumi, stepping up their interest. Bologna are said to be keen on keeping hold of the defender but the Black Cats have made contact as recently as this week.
Wolves have been credited with an interest in Lucumi as head coach Vitor Pereira is determined to add quality and depth to his defence. Pereira tends to operate with a back three and he wants someone who can step in and make a difference immediately, just as Emmanuel Agbadou following his £16.6 million move from Stade Rennais in January.
According to Foot Italia, Lucumi has a release clause in his contract valued at €28 million (£24.25m), though it’s only available for another 24 hours. That could be a bargain fee as the 29-time Colombia international has been one of the first names on the team sheet for Bologna for three seasons, racking up 94 Serie A appearances in that time.
Lucumi has had some valuable experience on the biggest stage, too, as he played seven times for Bologna in the UEFA Champions League last season. The 27-year-old, very much in his prime, has also competed at Copa America on his Colombia duties and he’s started nine of his nation’s last 10 matches in the World Cup qualifiers.
How could Lucumi fit in at Wolves or Sunderland?
If Lucumi were to complete a move to Molineux, he would provide immediate competition for Toti Gomes on the left of Pereira’s back three. Toti was in great form at the end of last season but Lucumi is arguably the better of the two players and could take the spot in the starting XI as and when he proves he’s adapted to the Premier League.
If the defender were to complete a Sunderland switch instead, he would likely be a guaranteed starter right away. Dan Ballard, Chris Mepham and Luke O’Nien will be eager to play regularly but Lucumi, a player of continental quality, would surely move ahead of them all in the pecking order.
As Lucumi’s release clause expires shortly, Wolves and Sunderland will have to move quickly to secure his services. This story could be one to watch and Birmingham World will publish all the updates as and when they emerge.