Seagulls like the look of Cat Kone

BRIGHTON are planning a £5million January swoop for Sunderland defender Lamine Kone.

The Black Cats rejected a £16m bid for Kone from Everton in January 2016. But the Championship strugglers are willing to sell the Ivory Coast international, 28, (above) to cut their wage bill.

Seagulls boss Chris Hughton wants competition for first-choice centre-backs Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy.