Sunderland have now submitted an offer for an “unreal” centre-back, according to a significant update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Sunderland's summer spree set to continue
It has been a memorable summer for the Black Cats, who have built on their Championship promotion last season by making 11 permanent signings in total to date.
Granit Xhaka is arguably the most high-profile addition, with the Swiss arriving from Bayer Leverkusen and immediately being made Sunderland captain, helping his side beat West Ham 3-0 in their Premier League opener on Saturday afternoon.
Habib Diarra and Simon Adingra have come in as the Black Cats’ two most expensive additions of the summer, however, joining from Strasbourg and Brighton respectively, looking to bolster Regis Le Bris’ midfield and wide options.
The early signs certainly bode well for Sunderland, in terms of their new signings ensuring that they avoid relegation straight back down to the Championship, but their business might not be done there.
Habib Diarra
Strasbourg
£27.1m
Simon Adingra
Brighton
£21m
Enzo Le Fee
Roma
£19.8m
Chemsdine Talbi
Club Brugge
£17.2m
Noah Sadiki
Union SG
£14.6m
Granit Xhaka
Bayer Leverkusen
£12.9m
Nordi Mukiele
Paris Saint-Germain
£10.3m
Omar Alderete
Getafe
£9.8m
Robin Roefs
NEC Nijmegen
£9m
Reinildo Mandava
Atletico Madrid
free transfer
Arthur Masuaku
Besiktas
free transfer
Sunderland submit bid for "unreal" centre-back
Now, Romano has taken to X to claim that Sunderland have tabled an offer for Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi, as their summer of spending continues. He is keen to seal move to the club.
Lucumi could be just what the Black Cats are after, with the 27-year-old an experienced head but really rising into a star over the last couple of seasons, bringing high level talent and physical dominance to Le Bris’ back-line.
He is a 29-cap Colombia international, which is no mean feat, and after 94 appearances in Serie A, he may like the idea of testing himself in the Premier League.
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Lucumi was once backed to become a “great” centre-back” by scout Jacek Kulig, while journalist Ethan Todd described him as “unreal” earlier this summer.
The Colombian would be a statement 12th permanent signing of the summer for Sunderland, assuming the deal goes through, as their squad goes from strength to strength amid their efforts to remain a Premier League team beyond this season.