If only Sunderland had cashed in when they had the chance, Lamine Kone would never have been a problem. The Black Cats thought they had a real gem on their hands when they turned down an £18 million bid for the defender back in 2016, but only now do they realise how costly that move was three years ago.

Kone, who is now 30-years-old, has been a massive pain for Sunderland since they suffered the first of their back-to-back relegations in 2017. The French-born Ivorian international spent this season on-loan in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg and the good news is that, according to The Chronicle, that loan move has become a permanent one, but how the Mackems would have wanted him out of their hair before that.

There have been some pretty rotten players rock up on Wearside in recent years. Without even thinking about it, the likes of Jack Rodwell, Didier Ndong and Papy Djilobodji spring to mind, and now the club have got that particular trio off their books and Kone has also secured a permanent switch away things look a lot brighter at the Stadium Light.

From day one, Jack Ross made it very clear that Lamine Kone was not in his plans and that he had to find a future elsewhere, which the 30-year-old has now gone and done. It's been a long time coming, but at least the Black Cats can prepare for yet another season in League One without having to worry about getting rid of Kone on yet another loan move for yet another season.

Are you pleased to be rid of Kone, Sunderland fans? Let us know!