Sunderland agree £4m deal with Liverpool to sign Sebastian Coates

Sebastian Coates (r): Set for permanent move to Sunderland

Sunderland have reportedly agreed a £4million 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.

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Coutinho: Firmino can make difference

Firmino: Will link up with Coutinho at Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho has revealed his excitement at linking up with new Liverpool signing Firmino and has backed his Brazil team-mate to help the Reds challenge for trophies.

The former Hoffenheim forward became the Anfield club's fifth signing of the summer on Wednesday and Coutinho feels that the acquisition of his fellow Brazilian is something for the supporters to be excited about.

"I think it is great news," he told the club's website. "Firmino is a great player and obviously I know him from the Brazilian national team. He is a great character and person.

"He is strong physically, he is fast, agile, very skilful on the ball and he scores a lot of goals - he is a great forward. I am sure he will be of great help to us next season.

"After hearing the news, I said to him 'welcome to Liverpool' and I have told him that he will be coming into a club that is like a family - I made sure to tell him that.

"I have also wished him a great and very successful first season at Liverpool."

With Firmino added to the ranks along with James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez already this summer, the former Inter Milan man expects the reinforcements to boost Liverpool's pursuit of silverware. 

"I'm very much looking forward to playing and starting the new season alongside Firmino at Liverpool. I am looking forward to not only playing for Liverpool again, but trying to help us get into a position to win trophies," the Brazilian added.

"As I said, I am very happy he has signed for Liverpool - but not only him, all of the other signings we've made recently as well. I'm sure all of these new players are coming in to make our team even stronger for the new season.

"I can't wait to start the Premier League season. I am very hopeful things will go well for us on the pitch this season."

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Gossip: City to trigger Delph deal

Fabian Delph: Signed a new deal in January

Man City are set to trigger the £10m release clause in Fabian Delph's contract and Liverpool have made a bid to sign Atalanta right-back Davide Zappacosta.

CITY MOVE FOR BARGAIN DELPH

In a story in the Daily Mirror, and an exclusive to boot, they report that Fabian Delph has a buy-out clause of just £10m in his Aston Villa deal.

The England man signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal at Villa Park in January and the release clause was reportedly placed in that deal then.

Now Man City have got wind of that release fee and are preparing a bid for the 25-year-old as they look to add to their homegrown quota.

LIVERPOOL MOVE FOR ZAPPACOSTA

Liverpool have made a bid to sign Atalanta right-back Davide Zappacosta, according to the Express via the Gazzeta dello Sport.

The Italian website does like to publish its fair share of speculation, but Liverpool are believed to be looking for some back-up at right-back and the Italy Under-21 man may well be on the radar at Anfield.

The Reds are set to complete the £12m deal for Nathaniel Clyne next week, but Brendan Rodgers is looking for competition for the England full-back and 23-year-old Zappacosta may well fit the bill.

SPURS CHASE MIRALLAS

According to the Daily Mirror Tottenham are considering a £7m bid for Everton's Belgium winger Kevin Mirallas.

The 27-year-old has one year remaining on his deal at Goodison Park and Spurs look like they are testing the water with Mirallas available on a free next summer.

Everton signed the forward from Olympakios in the summer of 2012 for a fee of around £6m and a new long-term deal elsewhere might well appeal to Mirallas.

AND THE REST

Raheem Sterling has been warned he must join Liverpool's pre-season tour as Manchester City consider an improved bid (Mirror).

Liverpool have stepped up their interest in Christian Benteke and will make an improved bid of £25million for the player (Mirror).

Yaya Toure wants to be Manchester City's 'Paolo Maldini' - and end his career at the Etihad (Manchester Evening News).

Everton are monitoring Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj during the transfer window with a view to taking the Belgium international on loan (Mirror).

Swansea are closing in on Portugal striker Eder (Mirror).

Galatasaray have confirmed their interest in out of favour Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski (Mirror).

Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany is back in training three weeks before his team-mates (Mirror).

Liverpool are interested in Carlos Bacca and the Colombian striker is keen on an Anfield switch, says the Sevilla star's agent (Mirror).

Borussia Dortmund have issues a 'hands off' warning over Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after the Gabon striker was watched by Arsenal scouts (Mirror).

Morgan Schneiderlin is set to make £24million Manchester United move next week (Mirror).

Newcastle are lining up a £12million bid for Anderlecht striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (Mirror).

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has intensified his bid to sign Idrissa Gueye and Jordy Clasie to replace Manchester United-bound Morgan Schneiderlin (Star & Mail).

Crystal Palace are rewarding James McCarthy with a new deal (Star).

Swansea are battling Torino for £5m-rated Atalanta midfielder Luca Cigarini (Star).

Manchester City believe they are close to winning the battle to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus in a record £60million deal (Sun).

Robin van Persie is willing to leave Manchester United for regular football but admits his wife will have the final say (Sun)

Leeds wants Sheff Utd frontman Jamie Murphy (Sun)

Watford are ready to sign Blackburn striker Rudy Gestede for £9m (Sun)

Manchester United have demanded Real Madrid pay a £35million record fee for David de Gea (Express).

Angel Di Maria set to reject Barcelona and PSG to fight for Manchester United first-team place (Express).

Arsenal are preparing a bid for Chelsea youngster Charly Musonda (Express).

Manchester United target Sergio Ramos has opened fresh contract talks with Real Madrid (Express).

Sunderland will revive their £4million pursuit of Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates (Express).

Juventus have already sold Manchester United and Arsenal target Arturo Vidal to a 'top European club' (Express).

Arsenal are winning the race ahead of Manchester United and Chelsea to sign Napoli defender Faouzi Ghoulam (Express).

Watford's £7m move for Argentina winger Diego Perotti has been hijacked by Napoli (Express).

Napoli insist Gonzalo Higuain will not be sold for less than £67million (Mail).

West Ham will make either Charlie Austin or Loic Remy their top summer transfer target once they have completed a deal for Alex Song (Mail).

Sunderland have made an £8million offer for Dynamo Kiev forward Jeremain Lens (Mail).

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has stepped up his bid to sign midfielders Idrissa

Galatasaray have revealed they are currently in talks to sign Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski (Mail).

QPR's Matt Phillips is in talks with Crystal Palace, Sunderland and West Brom (Guardian & Telegraph).

Manchester City are closing in on Bursaspor's coveted striker Enes Unal (Guardian).

Sunderland are to step up their interest in West Ham midfielder Stewart Downing (Telegraph).

Manchester United are upbeat over a deal for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos despite the failure of a £32m bid (Independent).

Spurs have opened talks with midfielder Victor Moses, 25, who is expected to leave Chelsea this summer (Times).

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Tiago Ilori determined to be success at Liverpool

Tiago Ilori: In action for Liverpool's U21s against Sunderland

Tiago Ilori is desperate to break into Liverpool’s starting line-up, according to the player’s father.

Ilori joined Liverpool two years ago in a £7million deal from Sporting Lisbon, but has yet to make his debut for Brendan Rodgers’ side having been farmed out on loan to Granada and Bordeaux.

The 22-year-old has the likes of Matin Sktrel, Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren ahead of him in the Liverpool pecking order, while the club have also signed youngster Joe Gomez from Charlton.

But the London-born centre-back, whose father Kola hails from Camden, is not yet prepared to abandon his dream of making the grade at Anfield.

"He is determined to make a success of it at Liverpool," Kola said. "You don't give up on it lightly.

"There's a long list of central defenders, as we well know, in front of him, but that's the way it goes in football."

Ilori, who moved to Portugal at the age of seven, is still eligible to represent England at full international level and is the sole British player left competing at the U21 European Championship.

But he could miss the mouth-watering semi-final against Germany through injury after staring all three of Portugal’s group games, including the 1-0 win over England.

A full international call-up for does not seem too far away for the youngster whose senior future appears to lie with Portugal.

“I think Tiago, if you ask him, his allegiance football-wise is definitely Portugal," his father said.

"It's where he has been. I think there's seven guys (in the current U21 squad) that came through the Sporting (Lisbon) ranks so he is pretty close to them."

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Aberdeen sign Liverpool keeper Danny Ward on season loan

Danny Ward - joining Aberdeen on season-long loan

Aberdeen have signed Liverpool goalkeeper Danny Ward on a season-long loan deal.

The 22-year-old Wales squad player trained with his new team-mates on Friday and will compete with last season's number one, Scott Brown, and long-serving Jamie Langfield for the goalkeeper's jersey.

The former Wrexham player joined Liverpool in 2012 and signed a long-term contract earlier this week after spending time on loan at Sky Bet League Two side Morecambe last season.

Dons boss Derek McInnes told the club's official website: "I am delighted to get Danny on board. He is a young goalkeeper we have been aware of for some time. We are thankful to Liverpool and Brendan (Rodgers) in particular for allowing this to happen.

"He is someone who is highly regarded at his club and they see the importance of getting him out on loan. Danny now has the task and challenge of playing football at a good level with us.

"We have real competition for places in all areas of the team, and we certainly now have that in the goalkeeping position.

"We believe Danny is going to have a good career as he goes forward and we are looking forward to the opportunity of working with him as part of his development.

"He can also help us to be successful."

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