Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat look likely to make a quick swoop in the transfer market this summer by snapping up centre-half Sebastian Coates from Liverpool.

The Uruguay international will cost around £4million as Advocaat looks to strengthen his squad in a bid to avoid another relegation battle next season.

The Black Cats are 2.88 for the drop having spent the last couple of years at the wrong end of the Premier League table.

Coates spent last season on loan at the Stadium of Light and was a player who benefitted from the change of head coach when Advocaat replaced Gus Poyet following his dismissal in March.

The 24-year-old defender has failed to make an impact at Anfield since his arrival in 2011 and has also been loaned back to former club Nacional in Uruguay as well as Sunderland last term.

Coates last month admitted a permanent return to Wearside appeals to him as he looks to find a more permanent club and finally establish himself as a Premier League player.

Advocaat has already made a move to complete one piece of business this summer after deciding to retain veteran centre-half Wes Brown, with the former Manchester United defender set to sign a 12-month contract extension.

Brown looks set to be handed a back-up role amid competition for a starting role from Coates and John O’Shea, with Celtic’s Dutch star Virgil van Dijk also reported to be on Advocaat’s shopping list this summer.