The Everton striker would be a useful addition to the Sunderland squad this summer.
Sunderland’s Stadium of Light
The Black Cats endured a torrid Premier League campaign last term that eventually culminated in their relegation to the Championship.
One of the main contributing factors behind their bitterly disappointing season was their woeful return of just 29 goals scored in the league – the second worst tally in the division, and with Jermain Defoe definitely leaving, the addition of an accomplished striker will surely feature highly on Sunderland’s agenda.
With this in mind, the Wearsiders should consider a move for Everton’s Arouna Kone, who will be out of contract at Goodison Park at the end of this month.
The 33-year-old joined the Toffees from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2013, for a fee believed to be in the region of £6 million, but never really hit the heights he did at the DW Stadium.
He played a peripheral role in the Blues’ campaign last term, failing to make a single start in any competition for Ronald Koeman’s side.
He does have a lot to offer still, however, especially at Championship level, and would be the ideal addition to the Black Cats’ squad.
Everton’s Arouna Kone celebrates
They are likely to come up against plenty of deep-lying defensive lines this season, and will need someone with pace who can run in behind the opposition defenders to help free up space for the rest of the team.
And whilst Kone is arguably past his best, he still possesses blistering pace, and would inject a much needed level of urgency into Sunderland’s front-line.
One potential stumbling block the Black Cats could face in trying to bring the Ivorian to the Stadium of Light will be his wage demands, if he expects to earn similar to the £40,000 per week he has been paid at Everton (Daily Star).
With no transfer fee required in order to sign him, however, Sunderland should be able to match his demands, and it could turn out to be a real coup for the Wearside outfit.
Everton’s Arouna Kone in action
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