Report: Lamine Kone prepared to take pay cut to force Sunderland exit

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With the summer transfer window now open, rumours surrounding the future of Lamine Kone are in full swing. Sunderland want to get big-earner Kone off their books, Strasbourg want to sign him permanently after a successful loan spell and the player wants to leave.

However, the major stumbling block to this transfer deal has been his wages. But according to L’Equipe, Kone is now prepared to compromise to achieve this move.

The 30-year-old is ready to take a pay cut in order to force through a move from Sunderland to Strasbourg. This report suggests he will ‘make an effort’ in terms of wages.

Kone joined Sunderland from French side Lorient in January 2016. He was an instant hit with fans as he helped the Black Cats to Premier League survival in 2015/16.

In summer 2016, to block all speculation, he signed a five-year contract at The Stadium of Light. This has since proven to be a problem for all parties.

After Sunderland’s relegation, the 9-cap Ivory Coast international’s wages were untenable in the second tier. But he could not prevent another relegation the following year.

With Sunderland now in League One, Kone returned to France on loan. Strasbourg signed him on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy. He has since played 32 games and he is highly regarded by the Ligue 1 club.

Strasbourg want to trigger the clause to make Kone’s deal permanent. And now that the powerful centre-back is willing to lower his wage demands, this deal looks feasible.