Sunderland have set their face against selling Lamine Kone to Everton and are prepared to make the Ivorian the highest paid player at the Stadium of Light to keep him.
Ronald Koeman wants Kone at Everton and the Toffees recently slapped in a €21m bid for the former Lorient centre-back.
It had been mooted Sunderland could sell Kone after securing a replacement, but the Black Cats are now determined to keep hold of the powerful defender.
And to do that Sunderland are prepared to make Kone the highest paid player at the club, according to French outlet Foot Mercato.
Earlier this summer Kone said he was unhappy at Sunderland backtracking on a promise of a new contract, but now the promise seems set to be delivered – and in style.
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The powerful centre-back was snapped up by the Black Cats from French side Lorient earlier this year and played a key role in the club avoiding relegation from the Premier League last season.
Kone, born in Paris, represented France through to Under-20 level before choosing to turn out for the Ivory Coast, for whom he has six senior caps.
