Sunderland manager David Moyes has reiterated that he expects Lamine Kone to sign a new contract at the Stadium of Light.
The defender was heavily linked with a summer move to Everton, but the North-East outfit dug in their heels to prevent a rumoured £18m deal from going through.
It was reported that Kone turned down fresh terms at Sunderland in the hope of forcing through a move to Goodison Park, but the transfer deadline passed earlier this week without an agreement being reached.
"It's been a difficult period for us all," Goal.com quotes Moyes as saying. "I understand Lamine's position, but I also understand that we as a club had to set our position.
"We're looking to get things resolved and I will be delighted if Lamine signs a new contract and hopefully there will be news on that soon.
"We always said that if there was a promise of a new contract made [by former manager Sam Allardyce], we would stick by our word. We will do that."
Kone joined the Black Cats from Lorient in January.
