Sunderland’s Jhon Lucumí January transfer stance explained as links re-emerge

Sunderland have been linked with a fresh move for Jhon Lucumí in the January transfer window, according to reports from Italy.

Lucumí was a key target for the Black Cats in the summer transfer window, but Bologna were reluctant to sanction a sale having already lost some key players in the transfer market. Despite the player’s agent going public in a bid to convince the Serie A side to sell, Lucumí stayed at the club and has been reintegrated into the side. Sunderland moved on and signed Lutsharel Geertruida from RB Leipzig. Geertruida has gone on to become a key part of Régis Le Bris’s plans at the club, impressing in a number of different positions across the pitch.

The defender’s future remains uncertain as he now entered the last 18 months of his deal at Bologna, and no resolution has been forthcoming. However, sources have told The Echo that Sunderland are not planning a swoop this month at this stage. The Black Cats are monitoring the transfer market to see if they can improve the squad, but their priorities if they do are in defensive midfield and the forward positions.

Phil Smith’s verdict on Jhon Lucumí rumours

Phil discussed the Jhon Lucumí rumours on the latest episode of The Roar podcast, having reported in October that the club had moved on from the Colombia international.

While a future move can’t be ruled out entirely, he explained why it’s unlikely in this window.

“It still seems to be the case [that Sunderland aren’t planning a January move,” Phil said.

“I think there’s always a little bit of a question mark when a club likes a player as much as Sunderland clearly like Lucumí. So if the price suddenly drops significantly to not a lot, then could the situation change? Maybe. At the moment, it doesn’t seem to be something that’s on Sunderland’s radar. There’s been no indication at all coming into this window that defence was in any way a priority, that’s not something I’ve heard at any stage. Ultimately, Sunderland moved on from the Lucumí deal and brought in Lutsharel Geertruida, who has done really well. It’s worked out well. So I don’t see it happening in this window [unless something dramatically changes].

“I think it’s probably a situation where his contract is running down now, he’s got 18 months left, so his value is dropping for Bologna. So I’m not surprised that the links resurfaced. I’m not going to say never because you can’t when a club clearly rates a player so much, but at the moment the indications are that it’s not going to happen. We’ll wait and see but I’d be surprised.”