Report: Sunderland defender Lamine Kone wanted by Reading

Follow us on Google Discover

Sunderland defender Lamine Kone is reportedly in line for a move to the Championship side.

According to a report from The Sun on Sunday (01/07; page 59), Reading are keen to sign Sunderland defender Lamine Kone this summer, and the Black Cats may even sanction a loan deal to move him off the books.

Kone has endured an incredibly mixed time at the Stadium of Light. The 29-year-old was inspired during the time that he worked under Sam Allardyce and played a key role in their final great escape in the Premier League. However, he has failed to recapture that form since and is now preparing for life in League One.

But Sunderland are reportedly keen to move one of their highest earners off the wage bill, and The Sun on Sunday (01/07; page 59) reports that the Royals are interested in taking him off their hands.

The Sun on Sunday suggests that Sunderland would consider a loan move for Kone, but it seems that their preferred option would be to sell the centre-back. Whether Paul Clement has any interest in taking Kone permanently remains to be seen.

If Jack Ross could get Kone back to his best this coming season, there is no doubt that Sunderland would stand a superb chance of securing promotion at the first time of asking and may perhaps find themselves in a much better position to justify spending the funds on Kone that they need to.

However, with no guarantee that the Ivory Coast international is capable of rediscovering his best form, it appears to make sense for the Black Cats to look to shift the defender off the books this summer. Freeing up his wages may hand Ross’ transfer kitty a boost that may help the club put themselves in a fantastic position heading into the new season.