Sebastian Coates expected in Liverpool on Friday ahead of ?7.9m move to Anfield
Uruguayan defender's father is already on Merseyside discussing personal terms ahead of move from Nacional, which will be subject to a work permit being grantedAug 26, 2011 8:30:00 AM
EXCLUSIVE
By Greg Stobart
Sebastian Coates is due on Merseyside on Friday ahead of his ?7.9 million move to Liverpool from Nacional.
The Reds had an offer for the highly rated Uruguayan defender accepted on Wednesday and the player's father and agent have been in Liverpool discussing personal terms with director of football Damien Comolli.
The talks are described by insiders as “a formality” and the 20-year-old will undergo a medical over the weekend and sign a contract to complete the switch subject to a work permit application.
Coates has not reached the appearance criteria to automatically qualify for a work permit but his highly impressive performances during Uruguay's Copa America triumph earlier this summer mean he is expected to be granted special dispensation. He was named as the best young player in the tournament.
He is expected to be Liverpool's last major signing of the summer as he joins fellow new boys Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Jose Enrique at Anfield.
Coates, who has also been linked with Manchester City, will fill the void in the squad left by the departure of Sotiros Kyrgiakos to Wolfsburg. He will become the second Uruguayan to play for Liverpool when he joins international team-mate Luis Suarez at the club.
The 6ft 5in defender is likely to be available to make his Liverpool debut away at Stoke City on September 10.
The defender also parted with a farewell message for Nacional's fans ahead of his proposed move to Anfield.
"For the fans I can only give words of gratitude, they have always treated me fantastically and supported me in the hardest times," he told the club's official website.
"I will wear the Nacional jersey again, however, and I hope when this happens I get the same great backing."
http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2011/08/26/2636888/sebastian-coates-expected-in-liverpool-on-friday-ahead-of