Sunderland will offer Lamine Kone a one-year contract extension, says David Moyes
Friday 12 August 2016 14:20, UK
Sunderland are to offer defender Lamine Kone a one-year contract extension, says manager David Moyes.
Kone told Sky Sports News HQ on Thursday he had asked to leave Sunderland, and was the subject of an £18m bid from Everton earlier this week.
However, speaking on Friday ahead of Sunderland's first Premier League game of the season against Manchester City on Saturday evening, Moyes says the club are preparing to offer the 27-year-old a new deal to remain on Wearside.
"I think it's important to know that we met with Lamine and his agents last night. We've told him there will be a contract for him on Sept 1," he said in his pre-match press conference.
"We want to get the transfer window out of the way. We are aware of someone telling him about a new contract if we stayed up. We'll definitely honour that. But its not top of the agenda at the moment.
"We've told him that it will be renewed in September and told him we've received a bid from Everton. It surprised me to hear he was in Liverpool. I've spoken with Bill Kenwright several times and it's remained private between us.
"He's very much part of my plans. At no time have I said he wasn't. He's got a four-year contract that he signed six months ago. We just want to get the window out of the way and improve the squad, then we'll do business with him.
"I'm disappointed that he would come out and do that [request to leave the club] because he's given me a decision over whether he should play or not. I need to see exactly where his mind is. We need him."
The Ivory Coast international made 15 appearances for Sunderland under their former manager Sam Allardyce in last season's Premier League, which included him scoring twice in their penultimate match at home to Everton.
