Sunderland are not letting up in the transfer marker despite making 11 first-team signings already this summer and getting off to a flying start in the club's Premier League return.
According to Fabrizio Romano, The Black Cats have made an official offer for Bologna centre-back Jhon Lucumi.
The good news for Sunderland is that the Columbian wishes to join the club, but there could be some stumbling blocks in attempting to get a deal done as the Serie A club do not plan on selling the player.
The 27-year-old had a release clause believed to be around £24m, however that expired recently.
🚨🔴⚪️ EXCL: Sunderland submit official bid to Bologna for Colombian centre back Jhon Lucumí.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2025
Lucumí, keen on joining #SAFC project to try new chapter in Premier League.
Bologna want to keep Lucumí after his release clause expired, clear intention not to let him go. pic.twitter.com/jhUMaVagC7
This leaves Sunderland in a position to potentially negotiate for a lower fee for the defender, but it could prove difficult convincing Bologna to do a deal this late in the window.
Lucumi featured 44 times in all competitions for the Italian side last season. He played in the team's Coppa Italia final victory over AC Milan, which secured Bologna a first major trophy in 51 years.
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Sunderland's defensive recruitment
Defence was one area of the pitch Sunderland had not strengthened in greatly during the early period of the summer window.
Free agent left-back's Reinildo and Arthur Masuaku were the only defensive additions officially brought in before last week.
Since then, the club have signed Omar Alderete from Getafe, and Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint Germain, as Regis Le Bris strives to bolster his side's defence.
Alderete is a specialist centre-back, while Mukiele offers versatility at the back for Sunderland as can operate as a right-back or centre-back.
The desire to bring Lucumi to the Stadium of Light indicates that Le Bris knows a strong defence is crucial to remaining in the Premier League and avoiding immediate relegation back to the Championship.
The Black Cats got off to a wonderful start to the 2025/26 season as the side thrashed West Ham United 3-0 on Saturday (August 16), marking a first Premier League win for the club in eight years.
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