Sunderland reportedly agree $6million deal for defender Coates

Sunderland have reportedly agreed a £4million ($6million) deal with Liverpool to sign Uruguayan defender Sebastian Coates.

The centre-half, 24, spent the entire 2014/15 season on loan at the Stadium of Light, and despite an injury-hit campaign, made a big impression late on as Dick Advocaat's side avoided the drop.

Coates has been with Uruguay at the Copa America, but will reportedly complete a permanent move to Wearside next week following his country's elimination at the quarter-finals stage to hosts Chile.

The defender joined the Merseysiders in 2011 from Club Nacional, but failed to make an impact and made just 24 appearances during his time at Anfield. Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure are all ahead of him in the central defensive pecking order at Brendan Rodgers' side.

And the Liverpool Echo claim Coates' exit will be the first of many this summer. Fabio Borini, Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert are all said to be on the list of potential departures after the trio failed to meet expectations last campaign.

The Uruguayan international will become Liverpool's sixth summer departure after Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Brad Jones and Iago Aspas were allowed to leave on a permanent basis, while Danny Ward has moved to Aberdeen on a season's loan.