Lamine Kone has asked to leave Sunderland just days before the start of the new Premier League season as Everton lead the chase for his signature.
The Ivory Coast defender has revealed he has requested a move away from the Stadium of Light following talks with manager David Moyes and chief executive Martin Bain on Thursday, saying that an expected improved contract offer had failed to materialise.
In a statement, the 27-year-old said: "After a week in which there has been a vast amount of speculation with regard to my future at Sunderland Football Club, I think that it is only fair to the fans of the club to clarify the situation.