Sam Allardyce is closing in on his first January signing after French club Lorient accepted Sunderland's bid for defender Lamine Kone.
Allardyce revealed on Monday that he had two players lined up as he attempts to strengthen the squad he inherited from predecessor Dick Advocaat as quickly as possible when the winter transfer window opens.
And it appears 26-year-old Kone could be the first of them after it emerged that the two clubs had agreed a fee.
Lorient vice-president Alex Hayes told www.ouest-france.fr: "We have received an offer that we have accepted.
"It is now up to Lamine to find an agreement with Sunderland and to pass the medical before the transfer can be made official."
It is understood that Kone, who has been tracked by Allardyce since his time at West Ham, flew to England on Tuesday to open talks with the Black Cats, who are hopeful of striking a deal within the next few days.
Source: PA
