Manchester City may be about to snatch a long term Sunderland target.
At the weekend, Manchester City defender Joško Gvardiol suffered a leg fracture against Chelsea. The Croatia international will be out for months and Rúben Dias has joined him in the treatment room.
Pep Guardiola has confirmed Dias will be out for six weeks.
The duo’s setbacks have encouraged Manchester City to look for a new centre-back in the winter market. The British media have reported Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi as a target.
Manchester City have added Bologna’s Jhon Lucumí to their target list. That’s according to Calciomercato, who report the Citizens could make a move in January.
Sunderland showed serious interest in the 27-year-old during summer but couldn’t convince Bologna. His contract expires in 2027, and the Serie A side are keen on extending it.
Sunderland still keen on player, as Manchester City circle
As recently as December, Sunderland interest was pushed again. The player and Regis Le Bris’ club were keen on a summer move, and that interest hasn’t gone.
Renewal negotiations has cooled and Manchester City are exploring a potential deal for the Colombia international. Bologna aim to keep him, but the report indicates a January exit can’t be ruled out.
Calciomercato state Lucumí’s desire to leave Italy and the pressure from Manchester City could ‘make the difference’.
Il Resto del Carlino report the player isn’t looking to renew while Bologna have no desire to let him leave before the end of this season. Meanwhile, Lucumí’s entourage is ‘waiting for any concrete steps’ from Manchester City.
Sunderland will surely be watching.
