Saturday 9 January 2016 17:47, UK
Lorient will make a complaint to the French FA about Sunderland, following their failed deal to sign Lamine Kone, Sky Sports News HQ understands.
Sky sources reported earlier this month that the Black Cats had seen their bid to sign the central defender accepted by the French Ligue 1 club, but they opted instead to sign Bayern Munich's Jan Kirchhoff.
It is understood Ivory Coast international Kone spent five days in Sunderland between December 29 and January 2 before the Wearside club decided to pull the plug on the deal by encouraging him to go home.
And sources claim Lorient rejected offers from other Premier League clubs for the defender - clubs that have now moved on to other targets since Lorient and Sunderland's negotiations.
Lorient are understood to be unhappy with the way Sunderland handled the process and will meet with the Federation Francaise de Football (FFF) next week.
And it is understood Lorient are looking at all options, including taking legal action, because the player will miss three games as a result of his failed transfer.
A Sunderland spokesperson told Sky Sports News HQ: "We find talk of potential legal action to be ludicrous and would vigorously defend our position on this."
