Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates is expected to join Sunderland on a permanent basis on Wednesday for a fee of £4m. The Uruguay international spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light where he initially struggled to secure a regular first-team place under his compatriot Gus Poyet but established himself in the side once Dick Advocaat took over as manager.
The 24-year-old made 13 appearances for Sunderland and Advocaat’s decision to turn his temporary stay into a permanent move encouraged Coates to follow suit. He will be the second centre-half to commit to Sunderland this summer after the Dutchman persuaded Wes Brown to sign a one-year contract extension earlier this month.
Liverpool paid Nacional £7m to sign Coates in 2011 after he impressed in Uruguay’s Copa América triumph that summer and was named young player of the tournament. However, having made 12 appearances during Kenny Dalglish’s final season as manager, he found himself on the periphery under Brendan Rodgers and was on course to leave Liverpool in 2013 only to suffer a serious knee injury that sidelined him for a season.
Coates is one of several players surplus to Rodgers’ requirements at Liverpool, who have signed the central defender Joe Gomez from Charlton Athletic and are due to make Nathaniel Clyne their sixth summer signing on Wednesday. The England right-back has agreed personal terms and undergone a medical before a proposed £12.5m transfer from Southampton.
