Jonukumi is still a target for Sunderland. (Photo: Marco Luzzoni/Gety member)
Sunderland got off to an impressive start to the Premier League returns. However, they were unable to do all the business they wanted, but this could be fixed in January.
The Black Cat was behind another central defender, especially John Rukumi. The Bologna man was interested in the move, but in the end no agreement was reached. In other words, he stayed in Italy.
But that may not be the case for much longer as Sunderland is about to finish what it started in the summer.
Sunderland is eager to complete John Lukumi’s January move
According to Alan Nixon (via Sunderland Echo), Sunderland remains interested in Lukumi, and their plan is to close the deal with Bologna during the January transfer period. They are ready to pay £25 million to pass it on to the line. This may be enough for Serie to sell – without organizing exchanges, the transfer didn’t complete in the summer.
Sunderland looked defensively solid in opening four Premier League matches and kept a clean seat against West Ham and Crystal Palace. The addition of Omar Alderete and Nordi Mukiele has looked great so far, and when Lucumi is added to the Regis Le Bris option, the depth is incredible strength.
For now, it remains to be seen whether Sunderland is about to make another specific attempt to sign Rukumi in January. He would certainly be the top signature given how impressive he has been for Bologna and Colombia for the past 12-18 months, and at £25 million he ended up becoming another great business done by the North East Club.