Sunderland could be in hot water with UEFA over the collapse of their deal for Lorient defender Lamine Kone.

The Mail on Sunday says Lorient are furious that having agreed terms on the transfer with Sunderland, Kone spent eight days on Wearside undergoing medical tests and discussing his contract before Sam Allardyce announced the deal was off last week and instead signed Jan Kirchhoff from Bayern Munich.

Lorient have lodged a formal complaint with the French FA which will be referred to the English FA and UEFA. They are also considering legal action as Sunderland gave no reason. The player has missed two games and not trained for three weeks because of the French winter break.

Should the complaint be upheld, Sunderland face the prospect of punishment which could come as a fine, points deduction or even transfer embargo.