Transfer Centre

Sunderland set asking price for Lamine Kone?

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 22 December 2017

Sunderland reportedly tell Everton and other interested parties that defender Lamine Kone will cost £10m during the January transfer window.

Everton have reportedly been told that it will cost £10m to sign Sunderland defender Lamine Kone during the January transfer window.

Despite Sunderland's relegation to the Championship last season, the Black Cats did not receive a suitable offer for one of their highest-earning players during the summer.

However, Kone has not played a part in the first team since the end of October due to injury and according to The Mirror, the North-East outfit have lowered his asking price.

The 28-year-old still has three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, but Sunderland are keen to get the centre-back off the wage bill at a time when the club are fighting to avoid relegation to League One.

At the start of 2016, Sam Allardyce paid £19m to sign the Ivorian for Sunderland and with the former England boss allegedly in the market for a new defender, Kone could fit the bill.

Everton have also been linked with a January approach for Crystal Palace defender James Tomkins.