West Ham United favourites to land Sunderland defender Lamine Kone; reported £15 million asking price would be better spent elsewhere

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West Ham United look to be pole-position to sign Sunderland defender Lamine Kone, but the club should ensure that they do not pay over the odds for him.

West Ham United are the front runners in the race to sign Lamine Kone, with Sunderland said to be holding out for £15 million for the defender, according to the Mirror.

Kone is expected to be one of the big names to exit the Stadium of Light following Sunderland’s relegation from the Premier League. The Hammers are hoping to agree a deal with the Black Cats in the £10 million region for the Ivory Coast international.

West Bromwich Albion are also reported to be interested in signing Kone but could be put off by the high asking price for the former Lorient centre-back.

The 28-year-old joined Sunderland in January 2016 and enjoyed an impressive start to his time in England. He helped save Sunderland from relegation but was unable to repeat the feat last season.

It would be unjust to lay the blame on Kone for the Sunderland’s disastrous campaign, however he did not shower himself in glory in what was a season to forget for everyone associated with the club.

Kone was the subject of an £18 million bid from Everton last summer but was persuaded to stay at the Stadium of Light. Despite his dip in form, Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is keen to add the Ivorian to bolster his defensive options.

Lamine Kone joined Sunderland from Lorient in January 2016

Kone has shown on his day that he is capable defender in the Premier League. If West Ham are unable to get Sunderland to budge on their £15 million asking price then they should consider looking elsewhere.

It is debatable whether the potential signing of Kone would strengthen the Hammers backline considerably or just give Bilic another option. The former should apply if the club are going to splash out such a substantial transfer fee.

After the club spent over £50 million on transfers last season and failed to secure a top-half finish, the Hammers need to show better care with their money and can ill-afford to get much wrong this summer. The signing of Kone would certainly be a risk, and one the club should be cautious of taking.