Bayer Leverkusen see Abdoul Koné bid rejected as Monaco ready offer

Bayer Leverkusen have seen a bid for Abdoul Koné (20) rejected by Stade de Reims, according to a report from L’Équipe. 

Koné has been one of the standouts at Reims in Ligue 2 this season. AS Monaco had shown an interest in signing him on a ‘joker’ transfer earlier this season, but saw their attempts rebuffed by Les Stadistes, who are desperate to keep the defender until the summer as they bid to return to the top-flight. 

But they are contending with growing interest in the player, L’Équipe understands. Reims have now rejected an offer worth €6.5m, plus another €1m in bonuses, from Bayer Leverkusen. That bid also included 50% of future resale value, as well as an offer to loan the centre-back back to Reims for the remainder of the campaign. 

Reims are holding out for a bigger fee and have also insisted that a loan back to the club for the rest of the season is a must for any deal to be concluded. Monaco are expected to submit a bid of their own in the coming days.