David Moyes remains confident Lamine Kone will sign a new contract at Sunderland after the club fended off reported interest from Everton in the transfer window.
Centre-back Kone impressed at the Stadium of Light after moving to Sunderland in January and was linked with an £18million transfer to Goodison Park following John Stones' sale to Manchester City.
"It's been a difficult period for us all," said Moyes. "I understand Lamine’s position, but I also understand that we as a club had to set our position.
"We're looking to get things resolved and I will be delighted if Lamine signs a new contract and hopefully there will be news on that soon.
"We always said that if there was a promise of a new contract made [by former manager Sam Allardyce], we would stick by our word. We will do that."
