Everton reportedly bid £18m for Lamine Kone in the summer of 2016 – but Sunderland would sell the defender for far less now.
Lamine Kone’s price-tag has fluctuated in conjunction with his form in the last two years.
Sunderland invested £6 million in the Ivory Coast centre-back when signing him from Lorient in January 2016 (The Mail). One third of of Sam Allardyce’s famous ‘three Ks’ along with fellow winter additions Wahbi Khazri and Jan Kirchhoff, Kone helped The Black Cats pull off yet another dramatic escape from relegation in the final weeks of his debut season.
In fact, it was Kone’s two goals in a 3-0 thrashing of Everton in May that sealed Sunderland’s survival and sent down North East rivals Newcastle United in their place.
The power-packed defender’s reputation was on the rise. After he made it clear that he wanted to leave the Stadium of Light just a few months after signing in the summer of 2016, The Mail reported that Everton launched an £18 million bid.
Sunderland dug in their heels, however, and Kone would speak afterwards about his disappointment at being denied a move to Goodison Park. Though considering how much he is valued at today, Sunderland may wish they had cashed in when Kone was at the peak of his powers.
The report added that Kone could be one of the players put up for sale – but The Chronicle claims that The Black Cats would be lucky to recoup the £6 million they paid for his signature almost two years ago.
Kone’s form has dropped dramatically since being blocked from moving to Everton and he is currently struggling to force his way into a side sitting in the relegation zone of the Championship.
The Toffees, then, can breathe a sigh of relief.
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