The Sunderland defender Lamine Koné has submitted a transfer request after the club’s promised offer of an improved contract failed to materialise.
The Ivory Coast defender, who was signed from the French side Lorient in January for around £5m, was the subject of a £17m bid from Everton last week. Koné still has four years left to run on the deal he signed seven months ago but released a statement on Thursday which claimed he had been assured they would renegotiate after surviving relegation last season.
“At the end of last season I was told by the club that I would be offered a new contract,” he said. “Following numerous phone conversations and face-to-face meetings, the latest of which took place today with David Moyes and Martin Bain, no contract has been forthcoming.
“It is therefore with much regret that I can only assume that I do not figure in David Moyes’s future plans.
“With that being the case it is with much sadness that I have asked the manager and the chief executive to be allowed to leave Sunderland Football Club.
“However, until that time I give my word that I will give my utmost in training and on the field.”
Sunderland sources have denied they made any such agreement with Koné or his agent Mark McKay. It is also understood that Chelsea have registered an interest in the 27-year-old but Everton remain the favourites to sign him.