Sebastian Coates will provide cash strapped Sunderland with much needed funds this summer as he is set to join Sporting Lisbon officially on 1 July.
After failing to settle into life at the Stadium of Light, Coates has spent the past 18 months of loan with Lisbon. A permanent deal for the player was agreed upon between the two clubs in January and will come into effect from July.
Though Coates was this week named in Sunderland’s list of retained players, the defender was only there as he is still under contract with the club.
The club even clarified this saying, “While Sebastian Coates appears on the retained list, a permanent move was agreed with Sporting Lisbon earlier in the season, which is ratified as of July 01.”
The sale of Coates will provide the Black Cats with much needed cash as they look to prepare their side for life in the Championship next season.