Championship strugglers Sunderland have reportedly offered Everton the chance to sign Lamine Kone for half the fee they were going to pay in 2016.
Lamine Kone’s valuation has fallen some way since Everton made that £20 million bid in the summer of 2016. By exactly half, if you want us to be specific.
According to The Mirror, Sunderland will listen to offers of around £10 million for their Ivorian centre-back as they aim to desperately raise funds to improve a struggling squad ahead of the January transfer window. And it is understood that Everton specifically have been offered the chance to sign Kone at last.
Which may go down very well with manager Sam Allardyce, who got the best out of the 28-year-old during the second half of the 2015/16 season at Sunderland and is keen on a reunion in January, according to The Sun.
Whether Everton should take up Sunderland’s offer, however, is another matter. Yes, a new centre-back would be welcome at Goodison Park with Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams a shadow of their former selves, Ramiro Funes Mori injured and Michael Keane struggling to make the grade.
And, yes, Kone was fantastic as Allardyce’s Sunderland pulled off a remarkable escape from relegation during his first six months in English football.
But the harsh reality is that Kone has looked disinterested since that move to Everton failed to materialise last year and there’s a reason why he’s no longer a guaranteed starter for a club sitting just one point above the Championship relegation zone.
Everton have enough error-prone defenders in their ranks right now and Kone, based on his performances over the last 18 months, would not represent any kind of an upgrade.
Then again, if anyone can get him back to his best, its Allardyce.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
