Sunderland star and Everton target Lamine Kone rejects David Moyes’ contract offer and pulls out of Middlesbrough clash with injury
Top centre-back wanted at Goodison Park this summer as defensive partner Younes Kaboul completes Watford switch
DAVID MOYES is facing yet more turmoil at Sunderland.
The Black Cats boss has seen Everton target Lamine Kone reject a new deal and pull out of tomorrow’s derby against Middlesbrough with a back injury.
And Moyes has lost Kone’s centre-half partner Younes Kaboul, who got his wish to move back south by sealing a £3.5million switch to Watford.
Moyes said: “We’re disappointed but Kone’s still under contract for four years, so it’s not too big a deal to us.
“What he asked for was a new contract and we offered him that.
“With Kaboul it was something he came to me and said ‘this is something I’d like to do for my family’. We have some difficulties but you get on with it.”
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Moyes signed former Everton winger Steven Pienaar on a one-year deal yesterday and has made a £2m offer for Barnsley centre-half Alfie Mawson, 22.
Boro’s Ben Gibson has been avoiding his future father-in-law ahead of tomorrow’s derby . . . because he is a Sunderland fan.
Defender Gibson said: “I have been trying to convert my girlfriend’s dad because he’s a big Sunderland fan.
“He’s been to a few Boro matches and I’m gradually getting there.”