Report: Sunderland renew interest in Lamine Kone

To see a list of completed deals in the January window thus far, visit theScore's Premier League transfer tracker.

In what is the January transfer window's most protracted and taxing rumoured transfer, Sunderland has reportedly renewed interest in Lorient's robust defender Lamine Kone.

A £5-million move agreed between both sides prompted Kone's flight to the north of England and five days with the Black Cats then fizzled, as Sunderland signed defender Jan Kirchoff from Bayern Munich to the ire of the Ligue 1 side.

Lorient then threatened legal action earlier in the week as the clubs appeared separated by an insurmountable cleavage.

Insurmountable no more, as reports suggest Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce is still interested in the lumbering Kone, renewing enthusiasm for the 27-year-old Paris-born centre-back.

Sunderland's reestablished interest comes on the heels of some rather honest remarks from Lorient vice-president Alex Hayes.

"We gave Sunderland our consent last Tuesday, Lamine left the next day to have contract talks, but the player warned us there were problems in negotiating his contract," Hayes told Le Telegramme, courtesy of Sky Sports.

"Because of the holidays it dragged out until Monday. They tried to change the pre-agreed deal. Lamine called me to ask if he could return to Lorient and I told him with great pleasure."

Now it appears Kone may have to pack his bags again and prepare for an unenviable Premier League relegation battle with the Black Cats.