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According to The Mirror, West Ham United are leading the race to sign Sunderland defender Lamine Kone this summer.

West Ham have nipped ahead of West Bromwich Albion in this race, according to this report.

West Brom are considering a move for Kone as Leicester City continue to pursue a deal for Jonny Evans.

After being priced out of a move for Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho, West Brom are keen on Lamine Kone.

The Ivory Coast international looks set to leave Sunderland this summer after their relegation to the Championship and they may be forced to lower their valuation.

Sunderland want £15m for the 28-year-old, although West Ham are hoping that he will be available at a fee closer to £10m.

Kone is a former target of Everton’s but after a fairly poor year at the back for the Black Cats.

West Ham currently have a number of centre backs on their books.

Winston Reid, Angelo Ogbonna, Jose Fonte and James Collins all compete for two or three starting spots with young stars like Reece Burke, Reece Oxford and Declan Rice all waiting in the wings for a chance.

If West Ham sell or loan out two or three of these players, then perhaps a deal for Kone might be more feasible.