Everton reportedly made an offer of £18m for Lamine Kone last summer – and he could leave Sunderland for half that amount 12 months on.
Sunderland manager David Moyes was largely applauded for taking a hard-line approach on Lamine Kone’s future at the Stadium of Light last summer.
Channelling his inner Peter Odemwingie, the Ivorian centre-back even went as far as to drive to Goodison Park in order to force through a move to Everton late in the transfer window, only for Sunderland to flatly refuse their £18 million offer, the Daily Mail reports.
At the time, Kone had only been at the club half a season, arriving from Lorient in January last year to play a major role in another Great Escape, this time under Sam Allardyce. He even netted twice in a 3-0 win against, ironically, Everton to secure the club’s Premier League status and send North East rivals Newcastle United down instead.
Therefore, Moyes may have expected that another season on Wearside would increase Kone’s value further.
Half price
Nothing could be further from the truth. 12 months on, debt-ridden Sunderland are facing up to a summer fire sale as they aim to earn enough money to invest in a squad capable of fighting for Championship promotion next season.
However, after a distressing campaign in which both his quality and commitment have come into question, the Daily Mail reports that reported suitors Crystal Palace and West Brom may only be willing to offer £10 million.
This just sums up how far Kone’s stock has fallen in England. Rightfully so, too, with the defender appearing totally uninterested by the club’s plight.
Perhaps they should have sold him for £18 million when they got the chance. It’s fair to say they’d snap anyone’s hand off for a similar offer this time around.
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