Sunderland manager Simon Grayson is confident that Lamine Kone will remain dedicated to the club if he is forced to remain at the Stadium of Light beyond the end of the current transfer window.
Kone has been strongly linked with a move away from the Black Cats following relegation from the Premier League last season and is currently considered as one of the players that is most likely to depart before the end of the transfer window.
Many fans of the club will be hopeful that he stays considering that the 28-year-old was one of the most impressive performers for the Black Cats during their first two Championship games.
The Black Cats did reject a £18 million offer for the Ivorian last summer, but given their current financial constraints, it will be unlikely if they reject a similar offer should it arrive.
Grayson has now said that he is confident that Kone will remain dedicated to the team if he is forced to stay, “I think he’s up for the fight. By the sounds of it and the way he has played, he has looked very comfortable and shown his true quality.
“That’s the same of Didier (Ndong) and all the rest of the lads as well. Ultimately it’s about what they’re doing while they’re contracted for us.
“While people are still here, if they’re thinking about options to leave, play well and make that happen. But if you play well and results are good, maybe you’ll want to stay.”
