Lamine Kone could reunite with Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace and Sunderland team-mate Wahbi Khazri may join him at Selhurst Park this summer.
Despite enduring a dreadful second season in English football, it appears that Sunderland defender Lamine Kone continues to dine out on his role in Sunderland’s 2015/16 great escape, the Daily Mail reports.
The former Lorient defender was brought to Wearside by then Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce before playing a major role in their successful survival bid, netting two goals in a 3-0 win against Everton to send North East neighbours Newcastle United down.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that Allardyce is targeting a reunion with Kone at his current club, Crystal Palace. The Daily Mail report that The Eagles will make a £10 million bid as they look for a long-term replacement for Liverpool loanee Mamadou Sakho.
However, Kone may not be the only Allardyce arrival to swap Wearside for the capital this summer.
Sunderland to Selhurst
The Chronicle claims that the former England boss could also target a reunion with Wahbi Khazri who, like Kone, arrived at Sunderland from French football a year-and-a-half ago.
The £9 million, ex-Bordeaux winger made a huge impact at the Stadium of Light, netting a stunning volley in a shock win against Chelsea which proved a turning point in Sunderland’s fight against relegation.
However, Khazri has fallen out of favour at the club since Allardyce was replaced by David Moyes in the summer. The Tunisian has started just seven Premier League games this season, despite recent displays suggesting he could’ve added a much needed cutting edge to a blunt Sunderland attack.
However, with Palace now goalless in their last three Premier League fixtures, Allardyce may believe his side are in need of further creativity next season. And a reunion with a player he knows well could be the obvious solution.
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