Does report suggest where Everton stand with Sunderland’s Lamine Kone?

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Everton were blocked from bringing Lamine Kone to Goodison Park in 2016 but now Sunderland would love to sell the defender to Goodison Park.

Back in the summer of 2016, Sunderland did everything they could to block Lamine Kone from signing for Everton, with an £18 million offer on the table from the Merseyside giants, as reported by Sky Sports.

Flash forward to the present day, however, and the Black Cats cannot give him away. It was reported as far back as October that Sunderland would be willing to accept just £6 million for Kone in the January transfer window, according to the Chronicle.

The Black Cats need to raise funds to pay for new additions but, despite the Mirror stating that Everton were keen before Christmas, the Ivorian is still stuck at the Stadium of Light.

According to the Sunderland Echo, the former Lorient defender has made it clear that he does not want to stay on Wearside. But it is understood that there have been absolutely no bids made for Kone.

Perhaps this is no surprise. Since being denied his move to Everton at the start of the 2016/17, Kone looked a shadow of the man who had played such a huge role as Sunderland pulled off a remarkable escape from relegation the previous season under current Toffees boss Sam Allardyce.

Everton need a centre-back to replace the ageing Phil Jagielka or Ashley Williams. But it’s telling that they haven’t made any offers to finally bring Kone to Goodison Park; even if he would now cost a third of his 2016 price-tag.

It seems that Everton have moved on. Probably for the best.