Sunderland are reportedly interested in Lorient defender Lamine Kone.

French newspaper L'Equipe is reporting the Black Cats have already made a deal with the Ligue 1 club for the services of the Ivorian international, although Sky Sports claim that such talk is premature.

It is understood Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce sees Kone as a player who can bolster his side's leaky defence, which has conceded the equal-most number of goals in the Premier League this season.