Sam Allardyce is closing in on his first January signing after Lorient accepted Sunderland’s bid for the defender Lamine Koné.

Allardyce revealed on Monday that he had two players lined up as he attempts to strengthen the squad he inherited from Dick Advocaat as quickly as possible when the winter transfer window opens. It appears 27-year-old Ivory Coast international Koné could be the first.

The Lorient vice-president Alex Hayes said: “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 Koné, who has been tracked by Allardyce since his time at West Ham, flew to England on Tuesday to open talks.