Sunderland are eager to sign permanently Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates.

Coates was key to Sunderland's late season survival effort.

The Sunderland Echo says his displays have persuaded Sunderland to make a move to keep him at the Stadium of Light.

Liverpool are thought to be looking to offload Coates, who has a year left on his contract at Anfield, for a fraction of the £7m they paid, but a stumbling block to any deal could be his wages.