West Ham United are reportedly set to make a new move for Sunderland defender Lamine Kone.
Sunderland’s Lamine Kone in action with West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon
According to The Mirror, West Ham United are set to rekindle their interest in signing Sunderland centre back Lamine Kone this summer.
The Hammers have endured defensive woe this season, and whilst they looked to rectify that issue by snapping up veteran centre back Jose Fonte from Southampton in January, that move hasn’t paid dividends so far.
Fonte has struggled so far, and with Winston Reid injured, manager Slaven Bili may be looking to bring in another central defender this summer – if he manages to keep his job at the end of the season.
Now, The Mirror report that West Ham are targeting a centre back they have looked at before, with Sunderland’s Lamine Kone believed to be back on their radar again.
Kone, 28, joined Sunderland from French side Lorient in January 2016, and turned in some superb displays to help the Black Cats survive in the Premier League, before Sunderland fended off interest from Everton last summer.
The Ivorian actually signed a new five-year contract in September 2016, but has endured more of a hot-and-cold campaign, with Sunderland struggling at the foot of the Premier League table.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku in action with Sunderland’s Lamine Kone
Relegation to the Championship may lead Kone to consider his options, and it’s claimed that West Ham – who looked at Kone last summer and in January – are ready to rekindle their interest in the defender.
It’s unclear just how much Kone would cost, but Sunderland’s negotiating position would be weakened by relegation, and West Ham may be hoping to take advantage by finally landing their man this summer.
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