Everton offered £18m for Sunderland’s Lamine Kone in 2016 so now he’s valued at £9m should they bid again?
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
Following their relegation from the Premier League, Sunderland are bracing themselves to lose their best players over the course of the summer.
The Chronicle reports that West Bromwich Albion are showing interest in Lamine Kone and are preparing a £9m bid for the defender.
Sunderland’s Lamine Kone in action with West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon
The article goes on to explain that Crystal Palace and West Ham United have also shown interest in Kone, who was the subject of a rejected £18m bid from Everton 12 months ago?
While the Black Cats may regret not taking the cash now – with the 28-year-old’s stock having fallen following a disappointing season for the club, in which they finished bottom with 24 points – should the Toffees consider rekindling their interest?
When that offer came in 2016, Kone submitted a transfer request – before admittedly making a uturn and signing a new five-year contract at the Stadium of Light – so was clearly tempted by a move to Merseyside.
Sunderland’s Lamine Kone celebrates with team mates after scoring their first goal
With Europa League football on offer in 2017/18 that interest is unlikely to have waned, while Ronald Koeman is still in the market for a central defender; according to the Liverpool Echo.
Ashley Williams remains a key player at the club, but both Mason Holgate and Matthew Pennington are still raw, young talents, while question marks have been raised over whether veteran captain Phil Jagielka is still good enough at 34-years-old.
With Koeman willing to sacrifice £18m for Kone just a year ago, perhaps they should renew their interest in the same player, but at half the price.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
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