Jhon Lucumi of Bologna

A fresh update on Sunderland target Jhon Lucumi has emerged as the Bologna chief Giovanni Sartori gave his thoughts on the defender to the Italian media.

The Italian club’s technical director revealed the Serie A outfit have opened talks with the defender over a new contract.

The Black Cats are believed to have made a number of advances to sign the 27-year-old in the summer.

Lucumi was said to be keen on a move to the Premier League but Bologna didn’t want to seek the Colombian international.

The player’s agent Simone Rondanini went public with a statement urging the club to reconsider their position as he was keen for the player to move to England.

Lucumi has since returned to the starting XI at Bologna and has played a key role since Sunderland's approaches.

But with his contract expiring in the summer of 2027 there is still a chance Sunderland could get their man.

Sartori opened up on the latest developments with the centre-back and it is clear the Italians want him to stay.

“We are talking to...