Lamine Kone "didn't know anything" about a statement this week that asked Sunderland to let him leave the club, manager David Moyes says.
Kone impressed for Sunderland in their season-opening defeat to Manchester City on Saturday, two days after a statement with his name on it said contract talks to stay at the Stadium of Light had fallen through.
But Moyes said when he asked the 27-year-old about it, Kone was not aware of any statement.
And despite a confirmed £18 million bid from Everton, Moyes believes Kone will remain with Sunderland.
"I expect him to stay," Moyes said. "Strangely enough when I pulled the boy yesterday he didn't know anything about his statement.
"He didn't know much about it at all but it was said and his name was put to it.
"The boy was great, he was great today, he was great yesterday.
"We've told him on Sept. 1 we will look to do a contract and also we've also had an offer from Everton. We've not hidden anything."