• The first stage of the forum upgrades has now been completed but they remain in a degraded state and are still being worked on.
    Please read this thread for more details.
    New user registrations are currently disabled.

Jhon Lucumi - Transfer Rumour

Lucumi or nothing then? Worrying.
Think he means room for one more defender but it has to be right. They’re happy if they can’t get the ideal profile.
He didn’t really say that he just said we’ll see if we can get the right profile of player in if not we’ll stick with how we are but sounded like we are more likely than not to get the positions we need in. I think Lucumi will get done, they’ll sell he only has 1 year left and they are just holding out for the best deal but won’t risk getting nothing for him in the Summer. The winger could be anyone really, seems like they haven’t got a specific player in mind and just seeing if an opportunity comes up, if not I think they’ll be more content with missing out on a winger than a centre back.
he did say one option. Echo has quoted it now too
 

What a ridiculous post..... :lol:

Yeah OK. Someone who has constantly slagged off Speakman and KLD for years and wanted them out :lol:

I love it when people like you disagree with me, as it's the greatest indicator I am right.

I couldnt hold view in your opinion on Sunderland any less if I tried, you've been proven to be compeltely wrong about every single thing...Speakman, the Owner, RLB, the Players. :lol:
 
Ballard is a warrior. There is absolutely no way he’s satisfied to be on the bench. He might accept it but he won’t be satisfied.
No young aspiring premier player would be satisfied but I’m confident that the likes of city, Chelsea, Liverpool, spurs have at least half a dozen players equal or better than Ballard who never get on the bench on match day
Ballard had a great game against WHU but we all saw that Alderete made a huge difference when he came on . He oozes class and has been playing at a much higher level than Ballard for several seasons. By all accounts Lucumi is even better. Assistant coaches like Vulcano ( with experience in top level Italian footy) along with Ghisolfi know a good defender, especially CB’s.
As others have said Ballard seems prone to injury and one thing we don’t want is chopping and changing especially at CB. CB partnerships are paramount to defensive soundness ( in tandem with GK) sowe need resilience in that position.
Like Isidor I think Ballard will be classed as a finisher, being brought on to see out a game or replace a defender on a card etc.
We like our warriors at SAFC but imo the likes of Lucumi and Alderete will win you the 3 points
 
I am sure some have seen before but still good summary of situation as it stands -


Bologna, Lucumì wants to leave: Sunderland puts a super offer on the plate​


Summary






August 21, 2025 - 11:30 AM
Logon or register to see this image

The Colombian defender pushes for the farewell and the English relaunch: the rossoblù resist but evaluate the possible scenarios in defense

The last days of the market are looking incandescent for Bologna, with the management called to manage several fronts at the same time. If in the incoming speeches for the outsider of attack remain a priority, there is no lack of delicate dossiers even on the exit front.

Casteldebole is worried about the situation related to Jhon Lucumì, one of the pillars of the rossoblù rearguard. The Colombian center has admirers in the Premier League and his stay is no longer so obvious: the pressing of the Sunderland has in fact opened a new scenario that risks changing the club's market strategies.

Lucumì and the Premier temptation: Sunderland is serious

According to Il Resto del Carlino, Sunderland would have raised its offer for Lucumì to 30 million euros plus a percentage on the future resale. An important relaunch, which is accompanied by the yes already given by the player to the transfer to England.

The Colombian defender, in fact, pushes for the farewell attracted by the prospect of a total engagement of about 15 million guaranteed by the English club. An economic proposal that Bologna cannot equalize and that has inevitably turned on the spotlight on the future of the player.

Logon or register to see this image
Lucumì and the temptation Premier: Sunderland is serious. Bologna Sport News (Bernd Weissbrod/dpa via AP) Associated Press / LaPresse Only italy and spain)
The company's position remains clear: Lucumì is not considered on the market and Italiano considers him a key element for his defense. However, in the face of the player's pressure and the concrete offer of Sunderland, the situation remains open and to be monitored carefully.

In this scenario, Bologna is at a crossroads: retain a fundamental player while risking having a discontented element in the locker room, or evaluate the sale and reinvest in the market. A delicate decision, which could significantly mark the end of this summer session.

The alternatives in defense: two profiles on the table

As reported by Il Resto del Carlino, in the event that Lucumì's departure became inevitable, Bologna would have already started to evaluate possible substitutes. On the list is Lorenzo Pirola, born in 2002, who grew up at Inter and today in force at Olympiacos, with experience also in the Italian youth teams.

Another profile followed is Diogo Leite, a Portuguese from Union Berlin who also likes Galatasaray. However, his future depends on the market moves of the Germans, who could only free him in the event of new grafts in the backlog department. Two different tracks, but both considered valid in case Bologna is forced to move.

The situation therefore remains fluid: the rossoblù club does not want to deprive itself of its defensive leader, but the last days of the market can hold surprises. The player's will and Sunderland's moves could change the balance, transforming Lucumì from a fixed point to a great unknown at the end of August.
 
I think people are being a bit harsh on Ballard. I agree we could do with an upgrade but only because I doubt he can maintain the level of performance he’s shown recently.
However if he could…….then he’s first on the sheet. His level over the last 4 competitive games for us has been outrageously good. Remains to be seen if he can maintain that and if he can’t then of course Lucumi and Alderete are ahead of him
 
Didn't RLB also mention potential to play a back three based on personnel, too? I think there'll be plenty of minutes and players will pick up knocks. Ultimately, competition will help the entire group.
I haven't heard that and can't remember him trying it before (could be wrong). We seem to have signed players carefully to fit our system, which is based on a back 4 as far as I can see.
I think people are being a bit harsh on Ballard. I agree we could do with an upgrade but only because I doubt he can maintain the level of performance he’s shown recently.
However if he could…….then he’s first on the sheet. His level over the last 4 competitive games for us has been outrageously good. Remains to be seen if he can maintain that and if he can’t then of course Lucumi and Alderete are ahead of him
I think their thinking is that you don't spend 20m+ on players not to put them in the team, but our ambition has gone beyond that now. And I doubt we'd sell Ballard for less either. He's a very solid defender and also a goal threat, still young and improving. His only weakness compared to those two may be his passing/distribution from the back, and historically being injured a fair bit (but that doesn't necessarily mean he will be in future). Some rotation will also be likely I expect, even without considering injuries and suspensions.
 
Last edited:
I think people are being a bit harsh on Ballard. I agree we could do with an upgrade but only because I doubt he can maintain the level of performance he’s shown recently.
However if he could…….then he’s first on the sheet. His level over the last 4 competitive games for us has been outrageously good. Remains to be seen if he can maintain that and if he can’t then of course Lucumi and Alderete are ahead of him
The problem is that Ballard has a history of struggling to stay fit. I would much rather have a 4 of Lucumi, Alderete, Ballard and o'nien.
 
They're in about -€40m net soend this summer like so will probably have the cash. Bologna are notorious for being reslly hard negotiators and I reckon it's a matter of time for Lucumi though.
I’m 100% sure this will happen.
But then I’d also not be entirely surprised if the Albanian George Michael turned up aswell.
You’re nes fun.
Super that 🤣
 
The only team that worries me about the transfer the longer it goes on is Brentford. Was reading a Reddit forum earlier and they seem to think they'll be targeting CBs if or when they sell Wissa. Obviously they'll have a fare wedge of money to spend if that happens.
 
Back
Top