Moyes says Everton target Kone did not ask for a transfer

Everton’s chase for Sunderland defender Lamine Kone has taken another unexpected twist. His manager David Moyes said in his post-match press conference that Kone claimes to have no knowledge of the statement that was attributed to him from a couple of days ago.

Kone had a solid game in the backline for the Black Cats, despite their 2-1 loss to Manchester City. After the game, Moyes said -

So with the latest comments from Moyes on the player, the whole situation around the player remains clear as mud. On the basis of what we saw today, the Black Cats need the player more desperately than Everton do, but the Blues could also use a player like Kone to completely shore up a defence that looked pretty good today.

Prominent media targets yesterday said that they still thought Kone and Yannick Bolasie (who came on as a sub today for Crystal Palace) will be signed and delivered by Everton this coming week.

Paul Joyce of The Express is one of the more reliable writers who usually has solid information -

Everton have been also linked with Tunisia and Valencia defender Aymen Abdennour in the last couple of days, who looks to be the backup plan in case the Kone bid does fall through. More to come in the next few days, one would think.