KONE FIGHT

Sunderland transfer news: Lamine Kone could be heading for exit as Everton circle for defender

COLIN YOUNG

Published: 0:32, 13 Aug 2016
Updated: 5:50, 13 Aug 2016

DAVID MOYES is fighting to keep Lamine Kone and admits Sunderland are not ready for the Premier League season.

Moyes denies defender Kone requested a transfer to speed up a £20million move to Everton.

Sunderland are fighting to keep hold of Lamine Kone as Everton circle — Sunderland are fighting to keep hold of Lamine Kone as Everton circleCredit: PA:Press Association

Black Cats boss David Moyes admithis team are not ready for Prem action — Black Cats boss David Moyes admithis team are not ready for Prem actionCredit: Reuters

The Scot included the £6m January signing in his squad to face Manchester City tonight.

And the Black Cats boss said: “At the moment we are incredibly short.

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“I’m on the phone trying to improve the squad and make it better because we’re nowhere near the finished article.

"You’re judged on all your games but from where we want to be, some boys have had half a training session, some boys have been here a day.

Kone helped Sunderland stay up last season with a goal against Everton — Kone helped Sunderland stay up last season with a goal against EvertonCredit: Reuters

Toffees boss Ronald Koeman is keen to add Kone to his ranks after losing John Stones to Man City in a move that landed him with a £47.5million war chest — Toffees boss Ronald Koeman is keen to add Kone to his ranks after losing John Stones to Man City in a move that landed him with a £47.5million war chestCredit: PA:Press Association

“We have had no formal transfer request for Kone.

"He is in my plans, he is a big player.

“Ideally you wouldn’t want to be in this situation with one or your best players saying it the day before.

"Maybe he has not been given good advice.”

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