Leicester and Crystal Palace to battle over Sunderland defender Lamine Kone – but David Moyes firm on £18m release clause

Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri and Crystal Palace's Sam Allardyce are making late moves for Sunderland's Lamine Kone.

Ranieri is asking about the Ivory Coast giant after hitting snags with a move for Kara Mbodji.

And Allardyce is willing to go big to land a player from his relegation rivals as he tries to save Palace.

However David Moyes is in no mood to deal and neither get their target unless they reach the £18million release clause.

Kone played a major role in the Black Cats Premier League survival last season under Allardyce, and the former England boss is keen to work with the big defender again at Selhurst Park.