£7 million Liverpool target says no to move

Atletico Madrid have moved to hijack Sebastian Coates' proposed move to Liverpool by making an offer for the Uruguayan defender, it has been claimed.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the Spanish outfit have tabled a bid of £8 million for the 20-year-old - more than Liverpool had offered - but Coates has refused a move to Madrid.

The centre-back is instead expected to undergo a medical in Liverpool over the weekend and put pen to paper in order to complete his transfer to Anfield.

Liverpool have reportedly splashed out £7 million in order to secure the signature of Coates, who joins the Merseyside club from Nacional.




 

The influence of Luis Suarez is thought to have played a major part in bringing Coates to Anfield, with the youngster keen to join up with his compatriot at Liverpool.

Should Coates finalise his switch to Liverpool, as expected, he will fight for a starting berth with Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher.