Sunderland have limited room for manoeuvre in the January transfer window so receiving a big fee for Kone would ease their financial situation.
Stadium of Light chiefs are also happy to get him off the wage bill.
After his move to Everton collapsed last year, Kone admitted he was gutted.
GETTY
Everton boss Sam Allardyce wants to be reunited with Lamine Kone
“Everton, they are not a small club,” he said. “There were other clubs interested too. But it was not concrete like Everton.
“It was a very good opportunity for me. A golden opportunity. They are playing for the top positions. They could be in Europe.
“So it was an interesting challenge for me. At the time, I was disappointed.”
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