Sunderland said to have offered centre back Lamine Kone a new contract with a dump up in wages in a bid to keep hold of him.
Kone who was a virtual unknown in the premier league before his switch to Sunderland in January, coming from Lorient for 5 million pounds. He has quickly become a fan favourite, creating a solid partnership with Younès Kaboul, which in turn greatly added to Sunderland league survival.
With Everton heavily linked with a move for the Ivory Coast international, the first offer said to have been knocked back by Sunderland. Everton are ready to up the offer, whereas the Black Cats are posed to hang on to their prised players by renewing a contract offer for Kone.
Kone who is only 6 months into his four year deal, seems to have loved his time on Wearside and has settled in comfortably, but his agent on the other hand will be driving a hard deal.