Liverpool are reportedly a step closer to signing Uruguay defender Sebastian Coates from Nacional.

The team are in advanced negotiations for the 20-year-old centre-back, who featured in Uruguay’s recent Copa America success and won the award for the Best Young Player of the tournament.

Coates, rumoured to be worth around £12m, would be the sixth signing of Kenny Dalglish’s summer rebuilding programme.

The coach is keen to add to his defensive pool after Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos left for Wolfsburg on a free transfer earlier this week.