Sunderland has already spent six new signing sessions in the £ 100 million region after the sale of Jowe Bellingham and Tommy Watson to Borussia Dortmund and Brighton respectively respectively
Sunderland is looking for a new center-back after seeing a first bid that has been rejected for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka. On Friday, the Black Cats hit a £ 17.3 million deal for Sassuolo attacker Armand Lauriente and the Focus will now shift to improving their backline and midfield options.
The Play-Off winners of the Championship of Regis Le Bris have already seen an offer that has been rejected for Lille Center-Back and Bournemouth target Bafode Diakite, but they now want to lead the cherries to a deal.
It is thought that Bournemouth is considering other goals considering after their last approach worth £ 26 million.
Diakite started Friendly against Como on Friday in their pre-season, but he opened the door to a move to the Premier League and has left things in the hands of club president Olivier Letang, which is looking for a £ 34.7 million (€ 40 million package).
Sunderland also belongs to a cluster of parties to have inquired about Igor Julio from Brighton, since conversations with Real Sociedad are an impasse, but in the past week Jhon Lucumi from Bologna also emerged as a primary target.
Lucumi had a release clause of £ 24.3 million that went formally on July 10 and Bologna is now trying to bind the 27-year-old to a new contract, despite the fact that they recently caused an extension option of one year.
Bournemouth also saw an offer for Lucumi that was previously rejected in the window and it is understood that the Colombia International currently wants to stay in Italy in the midst of Interest and Roma.
Sunderland -director of Voetbal Florent Ghisolfi previously tried to sign Lucumi during his time in Rome and a first verbal proposal has already been beaten.
However, if Bologna does not match a new contract with Lucumi, they are ready to consider offers that are near his recently accelerated release clause. Work would still be needed for personal conditions, even if a club-to-club deal was closed.
In the meantime, Leverkusen -Baas Erik ten Hag has made it clear that he wants to keep the Swiss international Maestro Xhaka in the midst of the importance of Sunderland. AC Milan and newly promoted Saudi Pro League side Neom SC have also made progress for the ex-Arsenale man, who is currently in Brazil with Bayer as part of their preparations for the season.
The ex-manchester United boss said to Bild: “If it was up to me, he should stay.”
Sunderland's opening not announced on Xhaka was considered a remarkably low by Bayer, who is in any case no interest in selling it.