, League One centre-back linked with Turkish side Trabzonspor

League One centre-back linked with Turkish side Trabzonspor

Sunderland centre-back Lamine Kone has been linked with Turkish side Trabzonspor, according to Turkish newspaper 61saat.

Recently relegated Sunderland are looking at offloading Ivorian centre-back Lamine Kone, and Turkey’s Trabzonspor are looking at bringing in the defender. Manager Jack Ross wants Kone off the books, as his wage burns a hole in the pocket of new owner Stewart Donald.

61saat report that the 29-year-old will cost Trabzonspor €7m, and contact between Sunderland and the Turkish club has been made as the two clubs look to complete a deal soon.

The Turkish side have also looked at fellow Sunderland centre-back Papy Mison Djolibodji, but links have run cold in the past few weeks.

Kone suffered double relegations with The Black Cats, playing 24 games last season as Sunderland finished bottom of the Championship.

However, Kone’s wages and the €7m price tag could prove to be a stumbling block as they look to complete a deal for the wantaway defender. Both owner Stewart Donald and manager Jack Ross want to sell the 29-year-old, but are refusing to budge on their valuation.

Ross told The Chronicle:

“He simply doesn’t want to be here – I’m going to be blunt about it. That’s where we are at.”

“For me as manager, the job is challenging enough at the moment – I just want players who want to play a part.”

It has been a busy window for the Black Cats already, but are keen to continue business late into the window, with outgoings and incomings at the Stadium of Light.

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