The Sunderland defender could be an ideal summer acquisition for Newcastle United.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
The Magpies finished their Championship campaign on a high with a 3-0 win over Barnsley, subsequently winning the title.
Rafa Benitez will be under no illusions, however, with regards to the need to strengthen his options during the summer.
The addition of a strong central defender will surely feature highly on the Spaniard’s list of priorities, and he should consider a move for Black Cats centre-back Lamine Kone.
Whilst Sunderland will be adverse to selling one of their best players to their fiercest rivals, their relegation to England’s second tier should give Newcastle all the bargaining power they need to make a move for the Ivorian happen.
The 28-year-old moved to the Stadium of Light from Lorient in January 2016, for a fee believed to be in the region of £6 million, and has firmly established himself as a top-class performer, making 44 appearances in the process.
Sunderland’s Lamine Kone in action
Strong in the air and quick along the ground, Kone would be a fantastic addition to the Toon’s squad. Standing at 6ft 1in, and powerfully built, the Ivory Coast international would bring a certain level of authority to the Magpies’ back-line, and would undoubtedly improve the competition for places amongst Benitez’ squad.
He is under contract with David Moyes’ men until the summer of 2021, however, so Newcastle would have to offer a fairly substantial sum to even tempt the Black Cats into allowing Kone to join their arch enemy.
With the financial gulf between the two sides tough, the Tyneside outfit should not have any problem in offering the kind of money it would take to prise the Ivorian away from Sunderland.
Sunderland’s Lamine Kone in action
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