Sunderland centre-back Lamine Kone is Everton’s top target when the January transfer window opens, report the Sunderland Echo.
The Toffees were embroiled in a transfer saga with the Black Cats for Kone back in the summer but their efforts proved fruitless and the Ivorian defender signed a new long-term contract at the club.
However, it’s expected that a number of clubs are still keeping tabs on his situation, including Everton, West Ham and Manchester United and the Premier League trio could make January offers if Sunderland’s future is looking ominously bleak.
Everton saw an £18m bid turned down by Sunderland in the summer for the 27-year-old defender so they’ll likely have to improve on that sum if they’re to secure his services.
Speaking to French reporters, Kone recently stated he was disappointed not to join Everton in the summer.
“Everton, they are not a small club,” he said. “There were other clubs interested too. But it was not concrete like Everton.
“It was a very good opportunity for me. A golden opportunity. They are playing for the top positions. They could be in Europe.
“So it was an interesting challenge for me. At the time, I was disappointed.”
If Sunderland are still propping up the Premier League table in January, they could be forced into considering Kone’s sale to the highest bidder as they prepare for life in the Championship.
