Sunderland keen to keep Coates

Sebastian Coates (right): Helped Sunderland to safety

Sunderland will attempt to sign Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates on a permanent basis after he helped the to Premier League safety.

Coates made just four league appearances for Sunderland prior to the appointment of Dick Advocaat, but the Uruguayan was handed his chance in the last six games of the season and did enough to convince the Black Cats to sign him permanently, according to the Sunderland Echo.

Liverpool are said to be willing to take considerably less than the £7million they paid to sign him from Nacional in 2011, but matching his salary at Anfield may prove troublesome for the North East club.

Leicester could also make a move for Coates, but Sunderland hope to make him one of two central defensive signings over the summer, with Wes Brown expected to leave when his contract expires at the end of the month.

Celtic's Virgil van Dijk remains a priority target for the Wearsiders, although they could face competition from the likes of Southampton, Everton and Arsenal.

petikan dari LiverpoolTeamTalk